Pressure on ambulance crews is "reaching dangerously high levels" and one ambulance worker has said they were "less stressed" working in the army.

In a survey by UNISON, nearly 200 East of England Ambulance workers said they are considering leaving the trust because of stress.

One paramedic, who asked not to be named, said: "I am a former army combat medic with tours of Afghanistan.

"I was less stressed and treated with more respect by my previous employer."

The union surveyed 228 workers at the East of England Ambulance Trust and it revealed paramedics are working 14-hour shifts and a "target culture" is stressing out staff.

The survey revealed 189 ambulance staff members are considering leaving the trust and 88 crew members said they had not told ambulance bosses they took time off because of stress.

Just six said they would talk to their manager or supervisor about their stress.

160 staff members said they were suffering from sleep problems and 134 crew members suffered from anxiety.

Others described being tearful, suffering with migraines, post traumatic stress disorder and feeling exhausted, UNISON claimed.

UNISON regional head of health Tracey Lambert said: "Working in emergency services is stressful but the pressure on ambulance staff is reaching dangerously high levels.

"It is unacceptable that the current system doesn’t allow for proper breaks between shifts. Workers have told us they often work 14-hour shifts without a decent break.

"Higher call out rates and lengthy waits outside A&E departments are adding to the problem.

"It is clear that the pressure caused by government funding cuts is having a huge impact on staff and on patient safety. But it is vital that patients use the service responsibly, for example only calling 999 for an ambulance when there is a real emergency.

"The pressure on workers is mounting and the apparent lack of support from their employers means they are suffering in silence. Year after year the levels of stress remain unacceptably high and yet neither employers nor the government have done anything to address this."