‘I’VE been kidnapped by Mary Berry’, ‘Can I have a lift home?’ and ‘My phone has no credit’ were just some of the 999 phone calls made to Avon and Somerset Police (ASP) on Friday.

ASP ran their first ever 24 hour ‘tweetathon’, where they tweeted emergency and non-emergency calls received by the communication centre.

Tweeting from @ASPoliceLIVE, the campaign gave an “insight into ‘a day in the life’” of the police communications centre, and highlighted some of the ridiculous phone calls made to the 999 emergency service number.

The number of non-emergency calls to 999 is increasing and includes persistent and repeat callers, some of whom are vulnerable people who need help and support.

It also includes calls for other agencies such as councils and utility companies and those who deliberately abuse the system.

Becky Tipper, Call Handling Manager said: “Every day we receive an average of 3,000 calls, 550 of which are emergency999 calls.

“Last year, one in five of these calls weren’t emergencies.”

Here is a roundup of the most absurd calls reported during the tweetathon:

Bridgwater Mercury:

"An intoxicated male has just called us on 999 asking for a lift home #WSM #ASP24”

“A man has called asking for help finding his friend’s new address as he has moved house. We advised him to check the electoral roll. #ASP24”

“Repeat reverse charge calls coming into 999 from Costa Rica being reported to Interpol #ASP24”

“Male caller in #Bath reporting a stray dog. He was directed to Bath Dogs and Cats Home. Stray dogs are dealt with by local councils. #ASP24”

Bridgwater Mercury:

“A man called 999 to report his mobile phone provider was robbing him because he had no service.”

“Lady called to ask if we could advise her sons that it was harmful to look directly at the eclipse! #ASP24 #eclipse2015”

“A woman called to report an emu in a field looking distressed – we advised her to contact the RSPCA.”

Bridgwater Mercury:

“A woman called to say he heating wasn’t working and her landlord hadn’t called someone to have a look. She wanted us to fix it.”

“Call from elderly couple who brought mobility scooters & wanted to know the rules – advice given from bit.ly/1CBfoqY #ASP24 #misuse”

“This week a car wash company called. A client had left the wrong key so they asked if police could contact them to get the right key. #ASP24”