FIREFIGHTERS were called to a park to free a boy whose legs had got stuck in the mud.

The crew from Eastbourne were called to Motcombe Gardens park in Motcombe Lane in the town at 5.30pm yesterday.

A 12-year-old boy had crossed a dried-out pond to fetch his football but the sticky mud engulfed him and he was trapped up to his knees.

He still had his mobile phone on him, so called the fire service, and crew commander Pete McCarroll was among those two pulled him out using a safe walkway and a foam device that loosens the mud’s suction.

He said: “We had him checked over by paramedics because he had a compression injury where the mud had squeezed his legs, but generally he was alright.

“I think he was just embarrassed because no doubt his mates will have had it up on Facebook within the hour.”

It took 10 minutes for the youngsters to be freed and the crew returned to Eastbourne Community Fire Station at 5.55pm.