A WOMAN had her hands trapped in a letterbox for more than 30 minutes early on Saturday.

Fire crews used specialist cutting equipment normally reserved for traffic accidents to free the 30-year-old in Starling Drive, Highfield, Farnworth.

Her friend had dialled 999 after the woman reached inside the letterbox -- which is positioned at the bottom of her front door -- and became stuck.

Fire crews said the women had returned to the house following a night out in Farnworth.

Leading fireman Mick Callan, of Farnworth Fire Station, said: "Her hands were red raw. The woman was quite embarrassed and very cold but she did not require hospital treatment."