REDDITCH ambulance crews deal with up to 30 per cent of the total workload across the whole of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The station, based in Batchley, is the busiest out of both counties but there are only ever two ambulances working at any one time.

Redditch paramedic Frank Knight said despite being constantly busy, the 999 emergency service was still being abused.

He said: "The crews had to respond to a 999 call from a man complaining of itchy hair.

"We have to respond to every 999 call because no matter how frivolous or ridiculous it may sound, if it is an emergency we have to respond.

"We advised the man, who had paint in his hair, to either wash it or cut it out."

During March, there was a 15 per cent increase in work across the two counties compared to the same time last year.

Mr Knight said: "We are the busiest out of 15 stations and do between 20 and 30 per cent of the work, especially at night."