A MAN had to be rescued from a phone box after being trapped inside by a gang of youths on Sunday evening.

The 37-year-old was tormented for around twenty minutes by the youngsters who pelted him from above with eggs and flour.

He had been trying to use the public phone box, on the corner of Ashton Old Road and Fairfield Road in Openshaw at around 6.40pm, when the youths kicked in the door making it impossible from him to exit.

Five firefighters from Philips Park Fire Station attended the incident after it was reported by a passer-by.

"The male was trapped inside the phone box for some time and was in a bit of a mess when we got him out," said Crew Commander Dale Murray.

"We had to hose him down before he was able to make his way home."