An IT issue that caused huge problems for the ambulance service has been resolved.

South East Coast Ambulance service declared a critical incident yesterday following the issues overnight.

People were asked to consider alternatives to calling 999 unless it was absolutely essential.

The service was forced to call on other trusts to help them.

But at midnight things were getting back to normal.

He said: "We are pleased to confirm that all of our IT systems are now functioning fully. As a result, we have stood down the Critical Incident declared earlier today.

"We’d like to say a massive thank you to our staff and volunteers for their outstanding work today, as well as to our fellow ambulance trusts, our hospital and system partners for their support. We’d also like to thank our patients & the public for their patience & understanding."

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