AMBULANCE bosses say people who dial 999 this Christmas without good reason could cost lives.

Examples of inappropriate calls received by Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (Tenyas) include a man who wanted to know where he could buy cigarettes on a bank holiday.

One woman dialled 999 because she was concerned about her sick cat and another man wanted his fire turned on.

Tenyas said it was anticipating a large increase in calls this month and that time-wasters could put lives at risk.

John Darley, director of patient services, said: "Last year, there was a 20 per cent increase in 999 calls to the ambulance service over a five-day period from Christmas Day. This emphasises the need for the service to be used sensibly.

"Inappropriate calls are a real problem because they divert emergency resources away from patients with potentially life-threatening, time-critical conditions at what is already a busy time."

Tenyas has introduced several initiatives to ease pressure on ambulance crews this winter.

They include increased use of Red Cross and St John Ambulance services and additional patient transport service support on bank holidays.

There will also be increased admissions to the minor injury units at Whitby, Ripon and Malton hospitals.

Mr Darley said: "We don't want to deter people from calling 999 if it is a genuine emergency, but we need to let people know there are a range of other services, like NHS Direct, their GP or pharmacy, which could be more appropriate to their needs."