As the long Easter weekend approaches, the region’s ambulance service is warning bank holiday bingers to take care and avoid a trip to hospital.

The trust received more than 12,300 emergency calls across the four-day break last year, and responded to more than 9,180 incidents including falls and choking.

Next Thursday merrymakers are expected to hit the town to celebrate the start of the vacation, and Star and EADT reporter Gemma Mitchell is joining two paramedics on their night shift in Ipswich.

We will be running a live feed on our websites with Gemma’s tweets throughout the evening, so readers can get a sense of the challenges the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) faces during one of its busiest times of the year.

The trust has issued seven tips to avoid an emergency this Easter:

• If you have a long-term condition, make sure you have enough of your prescription medication to get you through the long weekend

• If you are feeling unwell now, seek medical advice before Easter starts. Don’t let your condition deteriorate

• Make sure your medicine cabinet is fully stocked so that common ailments such as colds can be treated at home

• Be prepared for changes in the weather

• If you are going out drinking, know your limits and alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water

• Be safe on the roads. Keep your distance from the car in front to help avoid accidents

• If you need urgent medical advice over Easter, NHS 111 is available 24/7. Please remember, 999 is for life-threatening conditions only