FIREFIGHTERS have revealed some of the daftest calls they have dealt with this year to remind people to only ring 999 in a real emergency.

Control rooms are under strain from callers who waste their time with everyday problems and mishaps, stopping phone lines and even fire crews dealing with real emergencies.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has received more than 3,000 calls so far this year - but less than half of them have actually needed a fire engine to be sent.

Fraser Pearson, communications manager, said: "We get calls where people are in a bit of a fix and need our help, but haven't suffered a fire or other emergency. We will always do our best to help people in difficulties, but we usually refer them to someone more appropriate - the RSPCA or a plumber for example - so that we can be available for more pressing emergencies."

Some callers genuinely think something is wrong, only to discover it wasn't as serious at they thought, but others can be more sinister.

Mr Pearson added: "We always say If in doubt, call us out' so we are more than happy to help these people and put their minds at rest.

"But calls where people deliberately waste our time, either by pretending that a fire or other emergency is taking place when there isn't one, or by being abusive to our hard-working control room staff can put other people's lives in danger.

"We work closely with the police to find out who these people are and bring them before the courts."