A teenager who got trapped behind a wardrobe, before being confronted with a spider, called 999 and had to be freed by three firefighters.

Reece Thomas, an A-level pupil at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, decided to rearrange his bedroom on Tuesday afternoon.

He told yesterday how his wardrobe got stuck as he moved it and he became firmly wedged.

Then the teenager, who is petrified of spiders, spotted an arachnid and, seeing no other option, called Sussex Police on 999.

They alerted firefighters to Reece's plight and a crew went to the home he shares with his parents, Paul and Sarah Goodwin, in The Highway, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, and freed him.

The 17-year-old, who is studying for qualifications in sports, maths, leadership and IT, said he was physically uninjured but was panicking.

He said: “I felt quite claustrophobic and did not like it. I am very embarrassed.”

He added: “I was just moving my furniture when I got stuck. I moved it one inch and it must have slipped and got stuck by the bed because next thing I knew I could not move.

“My parents said I should have called them first.”

He added: “I want to say thank-you to the firefighters, who did not look very impressed when they came to help me.

"But there was a spider and I really don't like spiders.”

His mother added: “I couldn't believe it when he told me. He is getting stick from people saying he is looking for Narnia.”

Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue both confirmed they were aware of the incident.

A police spokesman said they received the call but the job was more suitable for the fire service.