AMBULANCE bosses are warning that lives could be lost this Christmas if people misuse the 999 emergency service.

The North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has seen a huge increase in 999 calls in recent years.

But many of those calls are for minor health problems, which can divert an ambulance away from a real emergency.

During December and January 2000-2001, the North-East service received 26,485 emergency calls - 9,263 more than during the same period in 1996-97.

There are fears that another surge in calls, combined with inappropriate 999 calls, could lead to avoidable deaths.

Paul Liversidge, NEAS director of accident and emergency services, said: "These people do have a problem, but are just using the wrong health care service. They should contact their local pharmacy, or phone NHS Direct for advice on what service they should use."

Research last winter showed that people who use 999 services for minor health problems prevent others with life-threatening conditions getting immediate care, said Mr Liversidge.

One service, Tees and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (Tenyas) plans to tackle the problem by installing an extra tier of call handlers so people can be given advice on how to get help.

However, the innovative approach will not be in place until after the New Year celebrations.

A spokesman for Tenyas said it believed the scheme was the first of its kind in England. Initially, extra call handlers will be deployed in the York and Hull control rooms of the ambulance service.

Callers who ring 999, who do not appear to be clear emergency cases, will be passed on to another tier of call handlers who will give the caller advice on where they can get help.