DISTRESSED parents were forced to call the fire service to help rescue their children when a fault with their car meant they were locked inside.

The Leigh fire crews were called at about 6.10pm today to Southbourne Grove in Westcliff where the parents were desperately trying to get inside the car.

Sub Officer Wayne Davey said: "A fault with the car's locking system had automatically locked the children, a boy aged three and a girl aged one, inside the car.

"The parents were trying to get the car unlocked for some time.

"As we don't like to keep animals in the car for any length of time when it's hot - and it was still quite warm - and the children were quite distressed we took it upon ourselves to gain entry into the vehicle by smashing the window.

"We then cooled the children down by putting a wet blanket over their shoulders.

"The parents were quite distressed, try were trying to keep the children calm.

"They had been in the car for about 20 minutes when they called us."