CURIOSITY got the better of little Benjamin Martin (pictured) when his brother and friend burst through the front door to play.

The mischievous three-year-old popped his head through the stair bannister rail to get a better look -- and ended up getting stuck.

His frantic mum, Deborah Martin, of Two Gates Drive, Darwen, tried to free him but was forced to call for help when her attempts failed.

She said: "He was upstairs and when he heard the door and he popped his head through the bannister to see who it was. I tried to unscrew the bannister but couldn't manage it.

"One of my friends suggested using a saw but I was worried we might hurt Ben.

"The firefighters were really good to him and he gave them all a chocolate egg to thank them."

Benjamin, who attends Lord Street Nursery, Darwen, was trapped for about 20 minutes while his brother Jack, four, and friend Brandon Hindle, also four, of nearby Atlas Road, watched.

Benjamin also has a eight-and-a-half month-old brother, Jordan.

Deborah added: "Ben was a really brave boy.

"He didn't get upset while he was trapped and he's back to his usual self now."

Leading firefighter Keith Armstrong, of Darwen fire station, said: "We were able to unscrew the bannister and take it apart to free the youngster without causing him any distress."