AN 'embarrassed' 14-year-old boy was rescued by firefighters when he became trapped after trying to retrieve a football which had gone astray.

The boy refused to give his name to firefighters in case his parents found out following the incident in Hollins Street, Blackburn.

He had been playing football with mates near the Hamilton Street Resource Centre Education Unit at about 7.30pm when the ball was kicked over the building.

The boy managed to climb up the building and intended to pass through a gap into the rear to retrieve the ball.

But he was then unable to get down again after being faced with a 30ft drop to the ground.

A friend called the fire service on a mobile and with a ladder provided him with safe passage.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "He was very embarrassed and was worried about being in trouble with his parents."