Ambulance crews are answering 999 calls more quickly, according to new figures.

Sussex Ambulance Service responded to almost 66 per cent of emergency calls within the required target of eight minutes in January.

This was an improvement of almost five per cent on response times for December.

The response time was better than this time last year when crews were only able to respond to 56 per cent of calls.

However, the service admitted ongoing problems such as staff shortages meant it was unlikely to reach the recommended level of 75 per cent by the end of this month.

Only four services out of 36 nationally reached the 75 per cent target.

Sussex Ambulance Service needs to add almost 70 paramedics to its 410 to reach full capacity.

At the moment crews are stretched and working long hours, sometimes without breaks, to make sure the county is covered.

The service hired new recruits in the past two months but said there was still a long way to go.

It also launched a campaign urging people to make sure their house names and numbers were clearly displayed.

Ambulances sometimes waste precious minutes trying to locate a house not clearly marked.

People are urged not to call 999 for an ambulance when not necessary.

A spokesman said: "We have to answer all calls regardless of the level of seriousness, which has sometimes led to unnecessary situations such as a paramedic being asked to deal with someone who has a cold."

The service wants people uncertain of what to do to call the NHS Direct phone line, which gives medical advice.