A FRIGHTENED iguana had to be rescued by firefighters after its first jaunt around its new home.

Before the crew from Bishop Auckland fire station, County Durham, arrived to rescue Jacqueline Nixon's 6ft pet, staff from a hairdressers had tried to free it from behind its glass tank in Spencer Street, Eldon Lane.

Jacqueline had expected Eddie the iguana to explore its new surroundings when she released it yesterday. But when Eddie hid and became stuck, they both went into a panic.

Jacqueline said: "I have only had her for three days and I thought she would enjoy a look around when it was quiet.

"When she got stuck, I was worried that she would shed her tail and I was in total panic.

"The girls from the hairdressers tried to help, but nothing worked, so I called the fire brigade.

"I was embarrassed, but they were wonderful and asked me all about Eddie. She couldn't thank them herself, so some of them stroked her instead."