The public are being urged to think before calling 999 after the ambulance service released examples of the strangest calls it has received.

In one call, a man requested an animal ambulance after finding a dead squirrel and in another, a drunk man called because he was unable to get a taxi.

A child dialled 999 to report that her goldfish was drowning and another lady rang an ambulance after finding a cat with an injured leg.

An ambulance was also called out to a man believed to be unconscious in the back of a taxi, but it turned out he was just asleep.

Over the last two years the East of England Ambulance Service has received 1,144 hoax calls.

As part of the It’s Your Call campaign, the service is highlighting that calls like these divert time away from real emergencies.

Gary Morgan, head of emergency operations centres, said: “Just because 999 is an easy to remember number does not mean it is acceptable for people to misuse it or treat it as a telephone directory.

“Hoax and inappropriate 999 calls have the potential to divert attention away from real emergencies and we will refer people who misuse the service to our police colleagues to take action.

“We’d urge the public to remember that the ambulance service is for emergencies such as cardiac arrests, patients with chest pain and breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, strokes, trauma, choking and severe allergic reactions.”

To listen to the calls, click here.