A MALVERN man had a lucky escape when he fell down a hole - in his own back garden.

The middle-aged man, who did not want to be named, had to be rescued by firefighters after falling 20ft down the hole, which had opened up next to a 120ft well.

"He was in his back garden walking across the lawn when he suddenly disappeared into a hole beneath the grass," said Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade spokesman Alec Mackie.

Shouted

The man was unhurt in the fall, which happened on Tuesday morning, and shouted for help.

A neighbour heard his cries but could not find him at first.

However, he finally found him without joining him in the hole, and called the emergency services.

Firefighters lowered an extension ladder down into the cavity and he climbed out.

It is not known how the hole appeared.