Pressure on ambulance crews is "reaching dangerously high levels", according to a staff survey.

Of the 228 ambulance workers in the east of England surveyed by UNISON, nearly 200 said they are considering leaving the trust because of stress - with one saying he was less stressed working in the army.

Nearly hald of all staff said they had to take time off sick because of work related stress and more than 52 admitted they were very close doing so.

The union also said paramedics are working 14-hour shifts and a "target culture" is stressing out staff.

The survey revealed 189 ambulance staff members are considering leaving the trust and 88 crew members said they had not told ambulance bosses they took time off because of stress.

Just six said they would talk to their manager or supervisor about their stress.

One paramedic, who asked not to be named, said: "I am actively seeking other employment with better money and fewer hours.

"I am fed up with bad management, clock stopping and working for a service where targets come before patients."

More than 150 staff members said they were suffering from sleep problems and 134 crew members suffered from anxiety.

Others described being tearful, suffering with migraines, post traumatic stress disorder and feeling exhausted, UNISON claimed.

As a result of pressures on the service and workers, a huge 83 per cent (189) admitted they had thought about leaving the job.

UNISON regional head of health Tracey Lambert said: "Working in emergency services is stressful but the pressure on ambulance staff is reaching dangerously high levels.

"It is unacceptable that the current system doesn’t allow for proper breaks between shifts. Workers have told us they often work 14-hour shifts without a decent break.

"Higher call out rates and lengthy waits outside A&E departments are adding to the problem.

"It is clear that the pressure caused by government funding cuts is having a huge impact on staff and on patient safety.

"But it is vital that patients use the service responsibly, for example only calling 999 for an ambulance when there is a real emergency.

"The pressure on workers is mounting and the apparent lack of support from their employers means they are suffering in silence.

"Year after year the levels of stress remain unacceptably high and yet neither employers nor the government have done anything to address this."