Almost 40 people, including children, have been rescued from a thrill ride stuck 20ft in the air at Chessington World of Adventures this afternoon.

Distressed passengers had to wait almost four hours before finally being cut from Rameses Revenge by firefighters - who were only called two hours after the ride failed.

A man, who did not wish to be named, told the Surrey Comet people on the ride called the emergency services themselves.

He was stuck for a total of three-and-a-quarter hours before being cut free, along with his wife and two children, he said.

Four children and a man were treated by paramedics after being freed but were not seriously injured and did not need hospital treatment.

A spokeswoman for London Fire Brigade said crews were called at 5.20pm - but that the ride had failed two hours before and Chessington staff had tried to fix it themselves.

It took a further two hours for all 39 people to be rescued.

London Fire Brigade station manager Justin Coo said: "Firefighters assisted the trapped people down from the ride, which was around 12 feet above a walkway.

"We cut people out of their restraints, before walking them down the ride and helping them down a ladder to ground level.

"No injuries have been reported though a few people were understandably a bit uncomfortable as they were stuck for some time.

"Firefighters did very well to get people down as quickly and safely as possible."

A spokeswoman for the London Ambulance service said paramedics treated five people - a 29-year-old man, a 13 year-old-girl, one girl aged nine and a boy and a girl, both 10.

Chessington World of Adventures said in a statement that staff worked with emergency services to ensure ride-goers' "comfort and safe removal".

It added: "We are very sorry for any discomfort our guests experienced during the delay."