THE Christmas party season is in full swing and revellers are being urged to drink responsibly and think twice before calling the ambulance service about non life-threatening incidents.

Today is traditonally known 'Mad Friday', the five days before Christmas that see a spike in emergency calls received by the ambulance service as people get into the festive spirit.

On that day alone last year, North West Ambulance Service attended 14% more incidents compared to the same day the previous year – a figure which is set to rise again this year, with many of the incidents being alcohol related.

NWAS want people to enjoy themselves, but to think before dialing 999, only calling on the ambulance service for life threatening incidents.

Its director of operations, Derek Cartwright, said: "In genuine life-threatening emergencies, time matters.

"If people stop and think about drink this Christmas and take a sensible approach, they can play their part in ensuring ambulance crews are free to attend to vulnerable and very poorly people."

Calls received over the Christmas period in 2012 included blistered feet from wearing high heels, swollen and twisted ankles from slipping on ice and people calling to get a lift home as a taxi wasn’t available none of which required the use of the emergency services.

Derek Cartwright added: "It is also important to remember hangovers, headaches and feeling under the weather after a night out can generally be treated in your own home using medicine from your local pharmacist and getting plenty of rest."

If you need advice for a health condition but are unsure of where to go for help, call NHS 111.