POLICE and ambulance services in Worcestershire have reported that their non-emergency phone lines are down.

Calls to 101 for West Mercia Police and 111 for West Midlands Ambulance Service have not been working today, after a national telecommunications fault affected emergency services across the country.

However the issue has not affected emergency calls to 999.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “This problem, which arose this morning, is beyond our control.

“Our health advisers and clinicians are in the call centre to answer any calls that can get through.

“Please, in the first instance, try calling 0300 0200 155.

“If your call is unable to be connected to us, please try using a walk-in centre, minor injury unit or urgent care centre for advice or assistance if available, or alternatively visit your local pharmacy.

“If you believe your problem to be life-threatening, please contact 999.”

He added that call centres continue to be fully staffed despite only a few calls making it through, and explained that callers will hear a recorded message giving the alternative number of 0300 0200 155.

This is an interim attempt by the telecommunications company to temporarily bypass the problem and forward the call to any of the call-centres.

West Mercia Police has experienced similar problems.

It tweeted: “We are currently experiencing problems with the non-emergency 101 number.

“Please dial 0300 3333000. If an emergency please still dial 999.”