Icy conditions in the West Midlands lead to 999 rise

Icy conditions have led to a 40% rise in calls to West Midlands Ambulance service.

A spokesman said in comparison to last Friday, the service received 1,491 more calls by lunchtime. Last Friday, it received 1,075 calls all day.

He added a huge number of the calls were slips, trips and falls.

The Met Office issued a warning of heavy snow for the West Midlands on Friday and Saturday and also of widespread icy roads.

The ambulance service said it was doing all it could to help people.

"Every vehicle available to the service is on the road and extra ambulances and 4x4 vehicles are being brought in," the spokesman said.

"We are using the services of volunteer groups, who are also offering 4x4 capability to help us get to emergencies."