A woman whose daughter had head lice and a pensioner who lost her glasses were just two of the 'emergency' calls received by 999 operators last year.

In addition to such non-emergencies, the ambulance service has to contend with dozens of bogus calls every week.

Now Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust has sent out a tough message to hoax callers: "Waste our time and we will prosecute you."

The trust has been given new powers by Health Secretary Alan Milburn to report bogus calls to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Until now, only police and fire services had the legal power to prosecute hoaxers.

Staff officer Phil Corsi said lives were put at risk while staff were travelling around the county unnecessarily.

He said: "If a person is based in Newhaven and they are called to a hoax call in Saltdean, they will not be able to respond as quickly when a baby stops breathing in Seaford.

"It is very frustrating. Although it is a waste of manpower, our main concern is that lives could be lost."

Mr Corsi said the trust also had problems with people abusing the service by calling for help unnecessarily.

He said: "Sometimes callers make a mistake but are not doing it maliciously. For example, one person dialled 999 to ask for an ambulance to take him to the dentist.

"In those cases we try to educate people so they understand exactly when a 999 call should be made.

"But if we get evidence that someone is deliberately calling us out to make mischief, we will certainly prosecute them.

"The back-up is now in place from the Government and we will use it if necessary."