Geri Halliwell had to be rescued by firefighters after she was trapped in a lift for an hour.

The former Spice Girl was on her way to a book signing when the service elevator at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex broke down. Halliwell, 35, was due to sign copies of her new children's book, Ugenia Lavender, about a red-headed schoolgirl who likes mysteries and adventures.

Waiting fans and photographers were told there had been "an incident" but had no idea the pop princess was having an adventure of her own. Firefighters eventually released Halliwell, who arrived at the signing in WH Smith all smiles, dressed in a pair of skimpy leopard print shorts and a purple top.

She told waiting children, who had been advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment: "I got stuck in a lift."

The book, the first in a series of six aimed at five- to eight-year-olds, was inspired by Halliwell's pregnancy with daughter Bluebell Madonna.

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said Halliwell and four other people became trapped when the elevator broke down on the way to the first floor.

Sub Officer Dan Hyatt said: "We were called to help get some people out of a lift in Lakeside and when we got there we were all surprised to discover that one of the people trapped was Geri Halliwell.

"The lift had become stuck between floors and and a team of engineers was working on it but didn't seem to be having any luck. So we used a manual crank in the lift's service room to raise it and get the doors open.

"Geri thanked us all for our help and was a really nice lady. There were loads of fans waiting for her so we were glad that we were able to get her out quickly so she could go and meet them."

Neither publishers Macmillan Children's Books nor Lakeside Shopping Centre could be reached for comment.