Ambulance staff are being offered support after three of their colleagues died suddenly in the last two weeks.

The deaths, which were posted on the East of England Ambulance Service Trust's intranet, have prompted urgent talks between the service and Unison, the union said.

Sam Older, regional organiser for Unison, said staff who wanted to talk had been given a phone number to call and would get support.

"More mental health support is something we are pushing for with the Trust," he said.

The deaths are understood to be in different parts of the organisation with two announced last week and one this week. Two were frontline workers and one worked in the control room.

Dr Tom Davis, EEAST medical director, said: "We are extremely sad about the deaths recently of three of our colleagues.

"We have extended our sympathies to their families and friends at this difficult time and we have provided immediate support to them and to our colleagues, including a helpline staffed by trained experts.

"The Trust takes any concerns about the health and wellbeing of its staff extremely seriously and will always offer support to those staff who may require any help."