A toddler had to be freed by firefighters after getting her head stuck in a banister.

Emergency services were called after Katie Wooders became trapped while playing on the stairs at home in Cross Street, Worthing.

The firefighters had to unscrew the wooden rails to free the adventurous two-year-old.

An ambulance was called and little Katie was given the once-over by paramedics to make sure she had not suffered any injuries during her ordeal on Tuesday evening.

Mum Gen Wooders, 25, said: "Katie likes climbing and must have decided to stick her head through the banisters - but then her ears got stuck."

She heard her daughter's cries and dashed up the stairs to see what had happened.

She said: "I had a friend at the house and we both tried to release her but she was stuck fast.

"The firefighters were brilliant. They got Katie out and then let our other kids get in the fire engine and try their helmets on. They thought it was great."

Katie was none the worse for her ordeal.

Mrs Wooders said: "There is not a mark on her and she is back to her normal self."

As far as she knew, Katie had never tried to put her head through the banisters before.

She said: "The banister was right outside her brother's bedroom at the top of the house. I don't know if she had seen him do something similar and was inspired to try."

A fire brigade spokes-man said: "It took about ten to 15 minutes to take apart the banisters to free the girl.

"We kept her amused while we were doing that and afterwards she was checked over by paramedics but she was absolutely fine."