WEST Midlands Ambulance Service is calling on students to join the service as call assessors in a bid to boost the ranks to tackle coronavirus.

The service is encouraging college and university students to apply to work in its vital control centre in Brierley Hill to man the 999 and 111 phone lines.

It is crucial work as the health service faces an unprecedented strain to deal with a surge in patients needing help.

The move comes as students now face an uncertain time and potentially months out of education after colleges and universities closed last week in a bid to contain Covid-19.

A post on the service's Facebook page states: "Our recruitment team at Officialwmas would like to engage with students who are currently unable to attend college / uni due to closures and ask you to consider joining us, at least in the interim, to support our 999 & 111 control centres."

To take a look at the vacancies visit the NHS jobs website.