The fire engine sped to the house in Stanford Way at 8.45am to be greeted by the sight of two-year-old Max Cole with his head stuck in a loo seat.

The toddler, who had been pretending to use the toilet training seat as a hat, had it round his neck for nearly an hour before the fire crew cut him free.

Fireman Clive Bulpitt said: "It's the first time I've had anything like that in 32 years in the fire brigade. It was very unusual."

His mother Nicolette Adams said: "It was absolutely stuck. I tried putting fairy liquid and cream on his head and ears, but there was just no way."

"I thought it isn't really an emergency, but it was because I couldn't get it off, so I called 999."

The fire crew found the scene so hilarious they insisted Miss Adams take a picture.

She said: "Everybody came in, even the driver- I don't think they see this kind of thing very often.

"He was ever so good and he didn't cry."

Click on the link to watch a video report on Max's mishap, or read next week's County Times for the full story.