COLLECTING conkers turned into a real adventure for schoolgirl Christina McLean.

The youngster, nicknamed "Spiderman" by her friends for her ability to climb trees, had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming stuck 60 feet up a tree.

The 14-year-old Derby High School pupil had been collecting conkers from trees in the grounds of the Killelea House, home for the elderly in Brandlesholme Road, Bury.

Christina, of Garside Hey Road, Bury, said: "I'm usually good at climbing trees, but once I had got up there I just couldn't move. I could hear the branches snapping beneath me and I thought I was going to fall. It was a bit scary."

Christina's friends went to fetch help from Killelea House and staff at the home telephoned the fire service.

Mrs Carol McLean, Christina's mother, said: "When I was told that the fire brigade had been called for Christina I was so worried. But when they finally got her down and she was safe I did not know whether to hug her or shout at her."

After her ordeal, Christina was taken into Killelea House by staff and given a cup of tea.

She said: "I was relieved when I was down from the tree. But me and my friends still managed to collect about 70 conkers!"