A BURGLAR dubbed Britain's most incompetent crook has had his collar felt again - this time for trying to get into prison.

David Gardner, 31, hit the headlines two years ago when firefighters had to rescue him when he got stuck 12ft down the chimney of a pub he was trying to raid.

In the latest incident, Gardner was arrested after turning up at Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, to visit an inmate while on the run.

Gardner and another man, Neil McFarlane, who was with him, were both wanted by police for failing to answer bail.

A routine security check by staff discovered that warrants were outstanding and police were alerted and arrested the pair, who are both from Newcastle.

Gardner was also arrested for being in possession of a small amount of cannabis, for which he received a formal warning.

In March 2003, Gardner was wedged overnight in the 2ft-wide vent at Twin Farms pub, at Kenton Bank Foot, Newcastle.

His cries for help were heard by draymen just after 6am. He told his rescuers he had been drunk when he climbed in after a cat.

Heating engineers found clothing, two screwdrivers, pliers, a chisel and a hammer in the vent.

He was pulled out by firefighters using a rope, and said afterwards he was in immense pain because the rivets kept catching on his body as he was hauled up.