FROM calling 999 because a child has painted themselves blue to thinking an ambulance is needed to help with an eyelash, the reasons behind time-wasting emergency calls are staggering.

How anyone, no matter how drunk they are, can think it’s acceptable to call the emergency services because they need help buying cigarettes is beyond belief.

But while many of these inappropriate calls will raise a smile, there is a very serious message behind the story.

As populations grow and resources are cut, the county’s emergency services are ever more stretched.

SCAS does not have the best record when it comes to attending genuine emergencies within their target times, particularly in the more rural parts of the county.

They have been rightly criticised for this, and even the Prime Minister has said it needs to be addressed.

The reasons behind missed targets are many and complex.

But what isn’t complicated is that these absurd calls should not be happening.