Extra ambulance crews are being put on stand-by to deal with the expected sharp rise in alcohol-related injuries after England's World Cup matches.

West Midlands Ambulance crews received 300 extra 999 calls last Saturday, after England's match with Paraguay, and were expecting a similar influx after last night's victory over Trinidad & Tobago.

Most 999 calls were to minor lacerations and injuries following alcohol-related falls and fights.

Trevor Ford, a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service urged fans to consider whether any injuries really warranted the emergency service.

"On Saturday, the service received over 1,500 calls with peaks of demand about an hour after the end of the England v Paraguay game and later in the evening," said Mr Ford.

"We have put an extra 20 crews on to help cope with the expected extra demand.

"Most of the injuries were drink-related, with typical accidents being falling down stairs, lacerations and head injuries."

He urged the public to consider contacting NHS Direct to calculate whether the emergency services are needed.

"Emergency crews will come out whenever 999 is called," said Mr Ford. "But with some of the really minor injuries which we are attending, in many cases a taxi could have taken the person to hospital, or they could be driven.

"I would ask that fans drink sensibly and in moderation during the World Cup matches and hopefully reflect on the fact that calls to minor assaults and drunken incidents means less ambulances are available to deal with potentially life-threatening incidents."