Extra ambulance crews are being drafted in as the emergency services in Shropshire brace themselves for one of busiest weekends of the year.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has put in place special arrangements to help deal with revellers out enjoying Christmas parties over the weekend.

Bosses fear that alcohol combined with freezing weather conditions will lead to an increase in 999 calls across the region, including Shropshire.

They say alcohol will be the cause of many incidents, including drinkers falling asleep outside in freezing temperatures.

Dr Andy Carson, WMAS medical director, said: “We know from previous experience that the weekend before Christmas is one of the busiest for the trust.

“We encourage everyone who goes out to party this weekend to have a good time but to do it safely.

“The cold weather due this week will adversely affect people that have had too much to drink. Sadly, the reality is that we have seen a number of people that have had too much to drink suffer from hypothermia after falling asleep outside.

“The service also receives an increase in calls to those people who have slipped over and hurt themselves.

“If you are going out this weekend, it is really important that you look after your friends and colleagues.”

Crews across Shropshire faced a call out increase of 40 per cent last year as temperatures dived as low as -6C. Chris Kowalik, spokes-man for the WMAS, said people should not hit the town without being prepared for cold weather.

He said: “When the temperatures drop low people need to dress accordingly. We have had instances of partygoers phoning 999 requesting lifts home because it was too cold and they could not find a taxi.

“People should be aware of the serious conditions that could arise from exposure to freezing temperatures such as hypothermia.”

Mr Kowalik said people should only call them during the festive period with real emergencies.

“During the snow and ice last year, we had a call asking for us to send a crew when a lady couldn’t make it down her icy path to get her washing in, and in south Shropshire there was a call to deal with a dead pigeon people wanted resuscitating,” he said.