A BOOM in mobile phone sales has seen 999 calls to police operators soar, constabulary chiefs claim.

And bosses at Lancashire Constabulary, which covers the Adlington and Rivington areas, say the recent surge in mobile sales has led to extra non-emergency calls being made which put lives in danger.

Now police chiefs are warning phone users to programme the locally published non-emergency phone number into their mobile for when a call does not require an emergency response.

Chief Inspector Val Prince said: "In recent weeks we have taken calls from mobile users who are using the 999 emergency line as a switchboard facility to contact individual officers with bizarre requests.

"This is in addition to the ever-increasing number of silent calls that operators are taking when mobile phones are activated in error in people's pockets and bags.

"Calling 999 when it is not an emergency ties up a line and an operator and could prevent or delay someone with a real emergency from getting through, which in turn could cost lives.

"Operators in the communications centre work in an extremely stressful environment, answering numerous calls .

"Members of the public must remember that the emergency 999 system must only be used when there is an immediate threat to life or property.

"Above all, members of the public should think before dialling 999 and should endeavour to keep the 999 line clear for someone who really needs it."

Residents living in the Adlington, Rivington and Anderton areas should contact Chorley police station on 01257 269021.

And Bolton and Bury residents who want to make a non-emergency call to Greater Manchester Police are advised to contact 0161 872 5050.