SNOWFALL put the ambulance service under pressure.

The East of England Ambulance Service was called to five crashes in a matter of hours yesterday.

Bosses appealed to the public to think carefully before calling 999 for an ambulance.

Oskan Edwardson, associate director for special operations, said: “We have put the lessons we learnt from last winter to good use to improve our readiness to respond to those who are seriously ill or in life threatening situations, whatever the weather.

“However, we cannot stress enough that people who do not need an emergency ambulance must be prepared to be patient, especially if the road conditions are significantly difficult.

“Some people may receive advice over the telephone or be directed to other local NHS services.”

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service has reported it was not called out to any major incidents yesterday morning.

A spokesman said: “The service received a higher than normal number of calls to minor road accidents, but none involved people trapped.

“So in most cases fire engines were not required and cars were towed instead.”