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70 years of stupid 999 calls

Police have revealed their wackiest 999 calls as the service celebrates its 70th birthday.

Hoaxers and time wasters have plagued the emergency line since its launch on June 30, 1937.

They include a man who demanded help with his crossword, a woman with shampoo in her eyes and another with a bleeding spot, reports The Sun.

One prankster ordered a pizza, another complained his mobile battery was dead and an old woman said she could not reach her TV remote.

Police were also urged to investigate "a large OWL sitting on a telegraph pole".

Cops said 40% of the 560,000 calls to 999 each week were hoaxes or time-wasting.

A spokesman said: "We are using the anniversary to remind people the service is for emergencies."

The service came in after police stations found they were being swamped with visitors.