A STUDENT got stuck in a bottle bank at a Southampton car park on a night out with friends this morning.

The woman, believed to be about 20, had been partying with friends in the city centre when she got her head stuck in the bin outside the Civic Centre.

Fire crews from St Mary's and Redbridge were called to the scene at about 3am where they found the student surrounded by friends and unable to pull her head out of the recycling bin.

Crew manager Chris Rashleigh from Redbridge station was one of those called to bring specialist equipment to set her free.

He said: “I think it was student night, I imagine she was looking for more drink. I think she had been there for a little while by the time we got there.

“A fire fighter was supporting her while she was stuck. She was in a very comfortable position.

“Her feet were touching the ground. She said it was dark and smelly, she'd obviously been drinking.”

Mr Rashleigh added that her head was sore - from being stuck in the bin.

Daily Echo: The area where she had to be cut free is clearly visible on the bottle bank.

Eventually, with the aid of a fire fighter, she was able to pull herself free of the bin.

He said: “We were there for about five minutes making a plan to cut her out. The crew from St Mary's had tried to cut around the plastic bin with a saw.

“I was explaining what equipment we had when all of a sudden she was free.”

She was not treated for any injuries.

Mr Rashleigh said she was “very embarrassed” to be stuck in the bin for such a long time.

“She was very relieved to come out. She said 'I will never do that again.'”