Running out of toilet roll and difficulty ringing a Chinese takeaway have been disclosed as some of the frivolous 999 calls made to a police force.

Devon and Cornwall Police said other unnecessary calls made last year included reporting a leak in a bathroom and someone wanting a lift home on Christmas Day. It comes a day after North West Ambulance Service said it was “disappointed” to receive a number of time-wasting calls despite a plea to the public to use the emergency services wisely.

Last week Greater Manchester Police also released audio recordings of prank callers reporting a marmalade theft as it urged the public not to abuse the emergency 999 number. (PA)

18th century sex manual

An early manual on sex and pregnancy banned from sale in the UK for more than 200 years will go under the hammer this month.

Aristotle’s Compleat Master-Piece first appeared around 1680 and sets out various ideas on sexual relationships and how to conceive. It was banned in the mid-18th century and remained a forbidden text until the prohibition was lifted in the 1960s.

An edition printed in the 1760s is expected to fetch up to €493 when it goes on sale at Edinburgh auction house Lyon and Turnbull. The book was attributed to Aristotle but there is little, if any, of his work in the text. Nothing is known of the actual author of the piece. (AP)

Deer injures woman in city

A woman has been treated in hospital after a deer ran loose in a city centre.

The wild animal was seen running down Chelmsford High Street in Essex on Sunday, knocking over pedestrians as it went.

A woman in her 20s was taken to hospital after suffering cuts and bruises when the deer attempted to jump over her.

“The young woman was treated for minor facial injuries before being taken to hospital,” the police said.

Essex Police said the deer was later spotted near the A12 dual carriageway.

Roadblocks were set up to catch the animal but it was not seen again. (PA)