Police in Cambridgeshire have released a recording of a bizarre time-wasting call they received about retired British footballer David Beckham.

The unknown man called Cambs Cops at around 3am one early morning to tell officers exactly what he thought about Beckham.

Slurring his words, the man told the call handler: “Did you know that David Beckham’s fame and fortune has bought him nothing? That’s all I’m trying to tell you.”

Cambridgeshire Police reminded the caller that he had called the emergency services and asked if there was any reason to be calling the police.

The caller said: “I can walk down the shop and get corned beef and things, he can’t do that. So all his fame and fortune has bought him nothing.”

Superintendent James Sutherland said: “We need people to think before they call and only dial 999 in a genuine emergency. Inappropriate use of our 999 service could cause delay in us speaking to people in danger and even put lives at risk.

“It isn’t that we don’t want to hear from the public, but we need to ensure that the right response is given as soon as possible to the people who really need us.

Taking the call on the chin, the operator instructed the caller to get himself to bed, reminding him that it was the early hours of the morning.

“Well all I’m saying to him – David Beckham – is, are you any cleverer than me? Because I don’t think you are,” the caller added.

The handler suggested: “Maybe you should message him [Beckham] on Twitter. I am going to have to clear the line though because we are busy.”

Before hanging up, the call handler told the man: “You take care of yourself – have a good night.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite said: “The public need to feel able to contact the police and it is essential they are not deterred from doing so if there is a genuine reason.

“However, it is also important people contact the correct number in the circumstances they face and don’t cause call handlers delays in supporting those most at risk.”

To report non-emergencies online visit www.cambs.police.uk/report.