NORTH West Ambulance Service has urged party-goers to drink responsibly over the New Year period and only dial 999 for life-threatening incidents.

Director of operations Derek Cartwright said: “In genuine life-threatening emergencies, time matters. If people stop and think about drink this New Year and take a sensible approach, they can play their part in ensuring ambulance crews are free to attend to vulnerable and very poorly people.”

Calls received over the festive period in 2012 included blistered feet from wearing high heels, swollen and twisted ankles from slipping on ice and people calling for a lift home as a taxi wasn’t available Mr Cartwright added: “It is also important to remember hangovers, headaches and feeling under the weather after a night out can generally be treated in your own home using medicine from your pharmacist.”

If you need advice for a health condition but are unsure of where to go for help, call NHS 111.