IT was a busy bank holiday weekend for ambulance staff, with the number of callouts in Worcestershire up more than five per cent compared to the equivalent period last year.

Between Friday (August 26) and bank holiday Monday (August 29) West Midlands Ambulance Service received 995 emergency calls in Worcestershire, an increase of 6.9 per cent on the 931 received over the same four days last year.

Across the whole region the ambulance service received 11,639 emergency calls, an increase of 4.9 per cent on the 11,092 it received between Friday and Monday on the August bank holiday weekend last year.

Bosses are attributing some of the increase to the hot weather on bank holiday Monday.

Emergency services director, Craig Cooke, said: “I would like to thank all of our staff who worked so hard over the Bank Holiday weekend.

"When many of us were enjoying time with friends, family and enjoying a few days off, our staff were working day and night to ensure people had the highest levels of clinical care when they needed it most.

“Given the expectation of high demand, we planned well and that ensured we were able to deal with patients in a timely manner.

"I would like to particularly thank the many staff who were prepared to work additional shifts to ensure we had the cover we needed to provide such a high level of service to the people of the West Midlands."

But Mr Cooke hit out at more incidents of ambulance staff being attacked while responding to emergency calls.

"The weekend was not without its disappointments," he said. "To yet again have to report staff being attacked whilst trying to help people is extremely troubling.

"We will be doing everything possible to ensure the perpetrators are charged and hope that the courts will deal with these cases in the toughest possible manner.

"It is appalling that members of our staff have been left battered, bruised and in fear of harm whilst simply trying to carry out their job.”