An ambulance trust has declared a "critical incident" after "sustained pressure" across its 999 and 111 services. 

South East Coast Ambulance service (Secamb) took the decision yesterday evening ahead of strike action after over a week of "sustained pressure" on its service. 

A spokesman for Secamb said: "Our ability to respond to patients has been significantly impacted. 

"We would like to thank all our staff and volunteers for their hard work and commitment in recent days in what continue to be extremely challenging circumstances."

The trust urged the public to continue to call 999 in life-threatening emergencies.

Secamb staff are striking today and have formed a picket outside Brighton's ambulance centre.

Ben Leeves, a paramedic and Brighton's GMB rep, said: "We are protesting against the Government cuts to our service that are stopping us from delivering the care we want to deliver."

People are told to seek help and advice from alternatives including via NHS 111 Online at 111.nhs.uk, their own GP or by speaking to a pharmacist.

According to the trust, declaring a critical incident provides it with additional oversight and enables it to explore options including mutual aid, while focusing all efforts on frontline patient care.

The trust said the situation will be kept under close review.