A WOMAN had to be cut free by firefighters after falling and impaling her thigh on a six inch fence spike.

Fire crews used cutting equipment to free Fiona Knowles after she received first aid from ambulance crews.

It is thought she had chosen to stride over a low railing at her front of her home, in Turton Road, Tottington, rather than use the garden gate when she lost her balance and became stuck on the spike at 12.50pm yesterday.

Station Officer Alan Topping of Bury Fire Station said: "She was in quite a distressed state when we arrived and the priority was to get her to hospital so she could have it removed.

"We cut around her, leaving about six inches either side of the spike where she was stuck.

"There is always a danger when people try to climb over railings or fences.

"In this particular case, it was only a low fence but she apparently lost her balance and has ended up with a very nasty injury."