AN adventurous toddler is recovering after being freed from a sticky situation by firefighters.

They had to use a tub of margarine to free 21-month-old Lucy Kilpatrick after she got a child's toilet seat stuck over her head.

Lucy, the youngest of six children, had been playing with the seat as she was getting ready for bed in Scott Place, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, but became stuck after putting it over her head.

Despite frantic attempts by her mother, Sharon Kilpatrick, to remove the seat it refused to budge.

Mrs Kilpatrick, who is expecting her seventh child, said: "I saw what she was about to do but couldn't get to her in time.

"She was becoming more and more agitated because the seat was irritating her and I was beginning to panic because I couldn't get her free."

Finally, Mrs Kilpatrick called the fire station for advice and was surprised when five firefighters turned up at the door to free Lucy.

Mrs Kilpatrick said: "They were great, they had her free in about ten minutes. They used my tub of margarine and gradually moved it up her head.

"Lucy's always getting into mischief. I had to take some units down in the living room down because she learned how to climb them.

"The other five children were quite quiet, but I think Lucy's making up for that."

Durham Fire Service's community safety officer, Dave Turnbull, said: "The firefighters who were called out were relieved there was a happy ending.

"We've dealt with some unusual situations such as bottoms trapped in toilets, an elbow in a letterbox and even someone's tongue stuck to a freezer, but it's the first time I've heard of a toddler's head freed from a toilet seat."