FIREFIGHTERS were called in to rescue a distressed toddler whose head was trapped under a stairway banister.

The two-year-old's family tried greasing his head to try and free him.

But they had to call the emergency services for help when their attempts failed.

The fire service were accompanied by a police car and an ambulance, to the house in Petten Grove, Orpington.

In took firefighters 20 minutes to cut through the banister and free the youngster.

An Orpington fire station spokesman said: "The banisters were made of soft pine. It wasn't a problem to get him free."