FOR many children, starting school can be a nerve-wracking experience.

So spare for a thought for four-year-old Fred Gibson, who got his head stuck in a picnic table on his very first day at Woodbank Primary.

But the panic soon turned to smiles when firefighters came to his rescue.

Brave Fred cheered up when a fire engine turned up from Bury Fire Station and he went home with a wide grin on his face.

Mum Sharon Roebuck, aged 33, of Holme Avenue, Brandlesholme, said: “He was a bit scared at first, but the wonderful staff at the school sang songs to him to keep his mind off it and it all worked out okay in the end.”

The drama unfolded at about 3.30pm on Monday.

Miss Roebuck continued: “He was playing a game of hide and seek with his friends and he obviously tried to get a bit too good at the game.

“The first I knew of it was when a friend called to say ‘don’t panic, but something has happened.’ “I walked to the school and saw lots of parents and their children outside because it was home time.

“They were near a picnic table and I saw the fire engine — and Fred with his head stuck.”

Firefighters were able to delicately unbolt the table and Fred was freed unscathed.

Watch manager Roy Grundy, of Bury Fire Station, said: “He was quite upset by the ordeal, but he was a brave little boy, especially on his first day.”