A NIGHT out turned to terror for a woman who became trapped inside an electronic toilet for two hours.

Hazel Howden, 39, had gone to use the public convenience in the centre of Newcastle after a night out with friends.

But her need to spend a penny turned to horror for Ms Howden, who suffers from panic attacks, depression and diabetes, when the doors jammed shut and she could not escape.

Ms Howden, of Killingworth, North Tyneside, shouted for help as her friends tried to free the doors. Fire crews were called and she was freed.

She is considering legal action against Newcastle City Council and the firm it employs to maintain the £50,000 lavatory.

Ms Howden said: "It was very frightening for me because I suffer panic attacks and I don't like being trapped in confined spaces.

"I have been in touch with my solicitor and hope to get damages."

Michael Shaw, area manager of maintenance company JC Decaux, said: "We are concerned this person was locked in the toilet because it has 30 different safety checks and the door should open automatically after a period of time."

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: "We cannot give a 100 per cent guarantee that mechanical problems won't occur, but we are satisfied the company we employ does everything possible to avoid this.