A BARMAN was recovering in hospital today after undergoing surgery to remove part of a metal fence spike from his leg.

Christopher Simpson, 18, became impaled on the pointed fence rail as he slipped trying to climb it while taking a short cut on the way home from work, at the Golden Lion pub, in Houghton-le-Spring, early on Sunday morning.

It is thought he may have been stuck for some time, trying desperately to keep his weight off the spike, before passing friends heard his shouts and raised the alert.

Firefighters from nearby Rainton Bridge were quickly on the scene, at the rear of the pub, alongside St Michael’s Church yard, in the Broadway.

They cut the fence to release him and he was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital where the remaining piece of the fence spike was removed.

Mr Simpson, who lives near the pub, was detained at the hospital under sedation, but is expected to make a full recovery.