FIREFIGHTERS were forced to remove the front window of an obese pensioner's home after paramedics were unable to get her out of the house.

The woman, who has not been named, could not be moved by ambulance crews, and a plan to bring her out of the back door of the property was too risky, the fire service said.

A complex operation saw firefighters from two stations removing the front window of the property in Weston-super-Mare, and carrying her out to an ambulance.

Avon Fire and Rescue service said they were called by ambulance crews who attended the 'bariatric rescue' of a woman in her 70s on the ground floor of the property.

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with obesity.

A fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters assessed the situation and two plans were put in place. One involved crews rescuing the patient via the back of the property.

"Due to the risks involved though, it was decided to rescue the casualty via the living room window, which had to be removed.

"The casualty was conveyed to hospital by ambulance crews."