FIREFIGHTERS are warning Cambridgeshire residents they could be putting lives at risk by calling 999 when their water pipes burst.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service received 32 emergency calls over the weekend from householders expecting officers to come and fix their leaks. The highest concentration of calls was on Saturday morning.

Firefighters will only respond to incidents of burst pipes where there is a hazard from flood water affecting the electricity supply or where vulnerable people are at risk.

Teru Seaber, group manager for the combined fire control, said: "With an increasing demand for help during the snowy and icy period, it's essential that residents only call us when there is a genuine risk to life.

"We strongly recommend residents know where to locate and how to isolate their water and electrical supplies so that we don't divert valuable resources from our primary functions - fighting fires and responding to collisions and other life-threatening emergencies."

Residents who are experiencing burst pipes or electrical problems caused by the cold snap are advised to isolate their water and electrical supply, and contact a local trader.