A FIRE engine taking crew members to talk to nursery children was left stuck at the roadside yesterday due to the icy conditions.

The vehicle became trapped in a side street in Darlington and was only dislodged when crew members used grit to prevent the wheels spinning.

Yesterday, fire chiefs said that, had the crew been attending an emergency, a back-up fire engine would have been sent.

The vehicle and its crew were due to visit Albert Hill Nursery School, in Darlington's Prescott Street.

Headteacher Carole Billington said the crew intended to talk to the three and four-year-olds as part of a running theme at the nursery, "people who help us".

The children would have been shown around the fire engine.

The appliance became stuck in a narrow street near the school.

"The crew got out their spades, while we gave them some of our grit to help get them out," said Mrs Billington.

Station Officer Kevin Thompson said the vehicle struggled to get round a tight bend in the road due to the icy conditions and the camber in the road.

"If it had been an emergency we were attending, then there would have been other fire appliances available.

"We also have equipment on board the engine that would could have helped, including a salvage sheet."

The crew is planning to return to the nursery next Friday.