FIREFIGHTERS were called to an Essex hospital after a toddler got his foot tangled in a toy watering can.

Accident and emergency staff at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford decided they needed a helping hand from firefighters to release the youngster.

Hospital staff had tried for a while to free the distressed toddler after he was taken to hospital by his mum. Her son had been in the bath at home when he got his foot stuck. She was unable to free him, so she took him to A&E.

Firefighters took along cutting tools and the incident, which happened on Tuesday night at around 8.30pm, was quickly dealt with.

Station Officer Mark Stock said: “The child and his mum were both a bit distressed when we arrived. They had been trying to get the toy free for a while before someone suggested we might have the right tools for the job.

“The little boy, aged somewhere between 18 months and two years, had got his heel stuck in the opening on the top of the watering can and his toes in the handle.

“It didn’t take us long to free him and then he was all smiles with no harm done!”