NEW Year's Eve is set to be more hectic than usual for the London Ambulance Service as temperatures plummet well below freezing.

An influx of emergency 999 calls is expected as partygoers celebrate the New Year - but the sub-zero temperatures during the coldest December for years may lead to an even bigger surge in demand.

Last year emergency services received 1,825 calls between midnight and 4am - a 16 per cent rise on 2006. According to the assistant director of operations, Jason Killens, this month has been exceptionally busy, with 8-14 December being the biggest week ever. Over the seven days they received 31,833 calls - 5,000 more than the average week.

Mr Killens said: "The combination of the cold weather, alcohol and already high demand means we could end up with a record for calls on New Year's Eve." He advised revellers to wrap up warm, eat before drinking, have some soft drinks and plan their journey home.

Meanwhile, homeless charity St Mungo's has opened a "severe weather shelter" near King's Cross station to provide relief to the capital's rough-sleepers.

Working in partnership with Communities and Local Government, St Mungo's is opening the doors to all rough-sleepers.

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