SEVEN members of staff trapped in a lift at an old people's home were rescued by firefighters.

Six women and one man were stuck between floors at Oak Meadow in Peelhouse Lane.

Leading firefighter, Stuart Pickering, said: "We opened the door using a key and could see their feet. We kept talking to them. They were a bit embarrassed really.

"We isolated the power and lowered the lift car, using hydraulic valves."

Although a sign inside the lift stated there was a 'safe working load of nine', firefighters suggest fewer people should use it.

"We suggest a maximum of four," said leading firefighter Pickering. "We would advise people never to overload a lift.

"If you do get stuck, remain calm and just wait for us to arrive. We will lower it back down. You don't have to climb through the hatch."

The incident happened at 2.10pm, last Thursday.

A spokesman for Halton Council, which runs Oak Meadow, said: "We can confirm that an incident took place in which a number of people were stuck in a lift at Oak Meadow.

"The fire service arrived within minutes and everyone is safe and well."