An urgent message has been issued as ambulance staff walk out today in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Ambulance staff from nine trusts including North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) will take part in strike action on December 21. The coordinated walkout by the three main ambulance unions - Unison, Unite and GMB - will affect non-life threatening calls only.
People are now being urged to only call 999 for life-threatening emergencies on days of strike action. Further strike action will also take place on December 28.