The East of England Ambulance Service Trust had their busiest ever January receiving more than 80,000 emergency calls last month.

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Norfolk saw the highest increase with the county recording 13,372 calls in January - up 16% on 2015.

As a whole, the trust saw a 12% increase in calls from 75,495 to 84,825.

Despite the large increase in demand, the service reached more patients with potentially life-threatening conditions within eight minutes.

Chief Executive Robert Morton said of the figures: 'We are making real improvements for patients and staff – it might not be reflected in the headline performance figures due to the steep rises in demand and other issues affecting our capacity to respond, but we are on the right track.'

With the increase in calls the public are being urged to think carefully before dialling 999 and to use the right NHS service to fit their needs

Head of Emergency Operation Centres Gary Morgan said: 'The majority of patients do not always require an immediate response, or in some cases, any form of physical response.

'If you or the person you are with are not in life-threatening danger, help us to respond to those patients who are by using the right service for your needs such as seeing your GP or an out of hours GP, visiting a walk-in centre or minor injuries unit, visiting your pharmacy or calling 111.'

The East of England Ambulance Service has launched a campaign called 'It's your call' which provides information about which NHS service to call for their needs, what happens when they call 999, and what to expect.