31 October 2012 Last updated at 05:58 ET

Ambulance phone number scam warning in Cumbria

People in rural Cumbria have been warned against a scam which promises the direct line number of the local ambulance station, for a price.

Concerns were raised by the mother of a member of staff at the Millom station.

She had received a cold call, offering the number and a quicker response in the event of an emergency, for £299.

The fraudster hung up on being told she was related to a paramedic. Police said there had been reports of people in other areas being targeted.

The North West Ambulance Service said: "The service would like to reassure the public that we do not charge for our emergency service, nor do we prioritise the despatch of ambulances on anything other than the severity of the illness or injury.

"These calls promising a direct line to our ambulance stations are fraudulent and, for this reason, the public should not make any payments or offer their bank details to anyone who requests them."