A MAN who tried to flee from police on a drugs raid had to be rescued by firemen after becoming stuck in a ventilation shaft.

Officers raided a disused business premises on Church Street North in Sunderland on Thursday afternoon.

A cannabis farm was discovered and during the incident two men tried to run off.

One man was arrested nearby, but Northumbria Police say the other tried to hide in the shaft in a neighbouring business and became trapped inside.

"Fire service crews attended the scene and managed to extricate the male using cutting equipment," a police spokesman said.

"The male has attended hospital for a check-up."

The road was closed for about half-an-hour following the incident at 2.53pm.