THE "summer madness" season for booze-fuelled brawls and drink-related incidents across the town has begun in earnest - meaning a heavier workload for Redditch ambulance crews.

Two weekends of hot weather resulted in more than half of the incidents dealt with by paramedics being drink-related.

Ambulance crews are gearing up for a busy year and an increase in alcohol-induced incidents which go up in Redditch year on year.

Last year, the Redditch Advertiser reported how ambulance crews were fearing for their safety following a rise in alcohol-related brawls in the town centre.

Paramedic Frank Knight said: "When the sun shines we become very busy.

"We have seen a sharp increase in drink-related incidents, especially at the weekends and night shifts."

He added: "We are preparing for the summer madness which we expect every year."

Ambulance crews have also been dealing with an increase in road traffic accidents but Mr Knight said he did not know the reason for the sudden spate.

He said: "Nobody has been seriously hurt in the traffic accidents we have attended but we have been dealing with more than we would usually.

"People tend to drive faster if the road is dry and sometimes if it has been dry and then the roads get wet, they can become slippery."

Meanwhile, ambulance crews located at strategic points around the town are facing an unusual problem - being accused of skiving off work by townsfolk.

The usual positions for crews are the Alexandra Hospital and Hopwood Service Station as it means cover is wider and calls can be attended to quicker.

But Mr Knight said: "We have had people come and ask us what we are doing and why we are not out saving people's lives.

"We have had some terse comments. People think we are just skiving work and sitting in the sun.

"But we want people to know we are working."