Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have been hit by a series of hoax 999 calls.

Through yesterday, the centre received 17 hoax calls.

The service said operators realised that they were hoax calls and no appliances were mobilised.

A spokesperson said: ‘A hoax call to any emergency service could cost lives; tying up valuable emergency resources and preventing them from attending a real incident.

‘If there had been a genuine emergency, resources would have to be called in from another station further away. Putting lives at risk.

‘Making hoax calls is illegal. People can, and have been, heavily prosecuted for making hoax calls with a fine of up to £5,000 or six months in prison.’