FIREFIGHTERS in Rawtenstall had to rescue two children who got stuck in mud - as well as a neighbour who had tried to help them out.

The youngsters, aged seven and eight, had been playing on a building site in Hollingwood Drive, Reedsholme, yesterday , when they climbed on to what was described as a very "sticky and soggy" mound of mud.

They sank into the mud and when a resident of a house opposite the site climbed the mound to pull them out he also became stuck.

Sub-officer Nigel Boden said: "There was a big pile of mud which had got wet and a neighbour had put a wooden pallet down to try and get them out.

"When we arrived there were three of them confined to the top of the mound.

"We just approached them from a different angle and used a triple extension ladder. It took about five to ten minutes."

"An ambulance did attend but no one was injured - although one of the boys lost his boots."

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