The Welsh Ambulance Service is warning of reckless and irresponsible calls to 999 that could have fatal consequences as numbers continue to rise.

The service took 1,428 non-essential or hoax calls in the last 12 months while urgent callers waited in line, including a man who dialled 999 because he had the hiccups and another who claimed he had drunk too much wine and was hung over.

Paul Hughes, Medical Director at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said, "During peak periods every hoax call has the potential to delay a response to a serious emergency.

"We ask the public to only dial 999 and attend emergency departments for life-threatening and serious illnesses and injuries - remember to keep emergency ambulances for your emergencies."

Over the past year, some of the calls clogging up the system have included a child calling 999 claiming someone stole their snowman and a woman calling to ask what to do with her baby as her husband was at work.

For advice and treatment of most illnesses, the ambulance service is urging people to visit their GP, or call the NHS Direct Wales 24/7 on 0845 46 47 for confidential health advice and information.