A YOUNG woman required emergency surgery to remove an iron spike from her thigh.

Francesca Knowles was attempting to step over a metal fence outside her home in Turton Road, Tottington, when she lost her balance and fell backward on to a prong.

Neighbours heard the 19-year-old's screams and alerted ambulance and fire crews shortly before 1pm on Friday. Staff from the nearby Tottington Health Centre, including Dr Jerry Martin, also came to the stricken woman's aid.

Ambulance paramedics, Dr Martin and several district nurses stabilised Francesca and administered pain-relieving drugs while Bury fire fighters used special equipment to cut away a one foot square section fencing.

Francesca was taken to Fairfield General Hospital where surgeons removed the metal spike from her right thigh.

A spokesman for the emergency services said: "The casualty was in a lot of pain and very distressed. Ambulance staff and fire fighters were at the scene quickly and were joined by staff from the Health Centre.

"Once Francesca was stabilised, a section of fencing was cut away and she was transferred to hospital with the spike still impaled in her thigh."

It is believed Francesca was kept in hospital overnight while nurses monitored her injury for any infection. She was released on Saturday. She and her boyfriend had only moved into the property in the last three weeks.