TEENAGERS have been given an insight into life as an ambulance paramedic -- and the dangers of making hoax calls.

Eddie Barlow, community liaison manager with GMAS, took an ambulance and life-saving equipment to Little Hulton and Farnworth Career Line Centre to speak to school leavers about the service.

They were also warned about the consequences of making false 999 calls.

Mr Barlow said: "The visit gave the group a chance to find out about paramedics and what we do.

"It also showed them the implications of hoax calls, not only on the emergency services, but also on people who have called 999 because they really need our help.

"Although the group were older teenagers who I'm sure wouldn't make hoax calls, the ambulance service hopes that they will take all the details they have learned and pass the message onto younger children."

Last year all the emergency services in Greater Manchester received about 370,000 calls which turned out to be non-emergencies.

The group of 15 to 18-year-olds were shown around the ambulance and took part in workshops with Mr Barlow as part of their 12-week life skills course.

Trainers at the centre in Longshaw Drive, Little Hulton, have been helping the teenagers to gain communication skills and worked on CVs to help them get a job. Amee Burgess, aged 17, from Walkden, said of the visit: "I've never made hoax calls -- I would never want to put someone's life at risk. I will definitely pass this information onto others."