A man cleaning out a flat had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming hooked to a carpet.

The male was helping clean a property in York Road, Southend, on Wednesday evening when he picked up a fishing lure without realising there was a hook still attached.

The hook became deeply lodged into the index finger on his left hand, leaving him unable to move from the carpet.

Firefighters from Southend fire station were called at about 6.45pm to cut him free before he was taken to hospital.