BOOZY football fans are being blamed for a surge in 999 calls in the borough after England's opening match of the World Cup on Saturday.

Figures from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) show the borough was the busiest in the capital for emergency calls around the time of the game against the USA.

The LAS experienced a 15 per cent increase in calls and ambulance operations manager for Barnet, Sean Brinicombe, said: “An increase in calls of 15 per cent is a big rise, and a lot of it is because people are simply drinking too much alcohol.”

There were 122 calls, compared to 106 for an average Saturday, which may have resulted in an additional 16 emergency ambulance journeys.

Across London, 999 calls peaked at 37 per cent above average between 1am and 2am on Sunday, following the match, the LAS said.

Ambulance chiefs are now bracing themselves for resources to be stretched again after England's now crucial game against Algeria tomorrow.

Mr Brinicombe said: “Every minute we spend looking after someone who’s had too much to drink, is a minute that could have been spent helping someone with a serious or life-threatening injury or illness, the people who really need our help.”

He added: “We’re now focusing on Friday’s game which we expect to be much busier in terms of 999 calls, mainly because a lot of people will be heading to the pub to watch the game straight from work.

“And while I’d urge everyone to enjoy the match, people should be sensible. We need to make sure our staff are free to respond to patients who really need our help."

Mr Brinicombe urged supporters watching the fixture immediately after work, to eat before drinking alcohol and drink plenty of water.

Anyone with minor illnesses or injury is also advised to consider other healthcare options including contacting the nearest pharmacist, or NHS walk-in centre, making their own way to hospital, or contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.