The region's ambulance trust said it was facing 'sustained pressure' on its services following a high volume of emergency calls.

On New Year's Day, the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) received more than 4,600 calls regionally – a 30pc increase from 2015.

A spokesman said that on an average day, the figure was 3,000 calls.

'The trust is currently facing sustained pressure. We have an escalation process and this has been instigated to try to bring this increase in demand under control,' the spokesman said.

'As part of that process we have alerted our partners and are working with them to alleviate the situation as quickly as possible.'

The trust said it was using a surge management plan, which outlines operational arrangements to manage emergency and urgent demand.

This is undertaken at its emergency operations centres at times of peak operation pressures, or when activity levels exceed normal demand.

'We appreciate the public's patience when we are experiencing these increased levels of demand and all our staff who are working very hard to provide the best possible care,' the spokesman said.

'We would always ask the public to think about what it is they are dialling 999 for and whether another option is available if it is not life-threatening or serious.'

People with non life-threatening

or serious injuries are advised to consider calling the NHS 111 service or to visit their GP.