PEOPLE who dial 999 for an ambulance could end up talking to a nurse and being told to ring their GP.

Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) is introducing new measures in an effort to free paramedics to respond quicker to real emergencies.

It is hoped GMAS can reduce the hundreds of calls about matters that are not life-threatening.

Some people dial the number complaining of toothache, sunburn, hiccups and sleeplessness.

Six nurses at the Bolton-based NHS Direct telephone helpline will be working on the pilot project, which starts today.

Under the scheme, all non-urgent 999 cases will be put through to a nurse at a call centre at Ladybridge Hall, Chorley New Road.

GMAS director of operations Anthony Marsh said: "In times of stress, many people will dial 999 without thinking of the alternatives.

"Many calls we receive could be dealt with more effectively by other health agencies, such as pharmacists or GPs. The emergency nurse advisers will be able to discuss these options with the patient, allowing paramedics to attend genuine emergencies."

Calls will continue to be first put through to the ambulance control room at Belle Vue, where trained staff grade the calls from A to C depending on urgency.

Jenny Crabb, chief officer of Bolton Community Health Council, welcomed the new system. She said: "Some people ring for an ambulance because they do not know where else to go. This will make people more aware of NHS Direct, which can answer a lot of people's worries. We want to make sure that if someone speaks to NHS Direct and still wants an ambulance, then they will be entitled to one. We have been assured this will be the case."

However, ambulance crews have expressed doubts as to whether the system will work, claiming many diverted calls will simply be returned to GMAS by NHS Direct.

The scheme has already had a 24-hour pilot in the West Midlands where one-third of all category C calls were transferred -- freeing up the equivalent of two ambulances.

The move is also expected to take pressure off ambulances meeting non-urgent calls within the Government target of 14 minutes. GMAS say they have been meeting 95.1 per cent of these calls since September.