Paramedics took a man who posed as a stroke victim to hospital only for him to leap up and thank them for the free lift, it has emerged.

The North West Ambulance Service lashed out at the man for wasting valuable time and resources.

Describing the incident on Twitter, they revealed that they responded to a call by the would-be patient who claimed to have lost "sensation" in his legs.

Fearing he may have a critical circulation problem or have suffered a stroke he was rushed to the unnamed hospital by medics.

But on arrival, he walked out beaming and admitted he was fine and just wanted a free lift to visit a friend on one of the wards.

The public expressed horror at his actions, suggesting that he should be named and shamed and that the police should have been called.