Wiltshire Police has launched a campaign to remind people what 999 should be used for.

The campaign, called #SummerDemand, has been running through some of the top time wasters that have called the emergency services.

Highlights include someone reporting 'a sick pigeon in my garden' and another to say 'a dog has pooed on my lawn'.

Other calls include someone saying 'the bus hasn’t turned up so I will be late to college' and 'a vending machine has just eaten my money'.

Accompanying the series of tweets, Wiltshire Police said: “Not every 999 call is genuine and can waste a call handler and officer’s time when they could be attending a real emergency.”

The campaign has echoed the words of Superintendent Phil Staynings who released an open letter saying: “We will often receive calls, especially via 999, which are not emergencies and a re simply blocking the lines for those in a life-or-death situation who urgently need our help.

“Please rest assured, we are always here should you find yourself in a real emergency.”