"This year three of our firefighters received muscle strain while attempting to remove a bariatric patient from a home, " says Alan Kernohan, area manager for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

BBC: Fire services count the cost of rescuing obese people

"We will respond immediately if anyone is in need of urgent medical attention - but in a non-emergency situation, then we will make a risk assessment and discuss the outcomes with the ambulance service or any other agency who has requested our help, " Mr Kernohan told the BBC.

BBC: Fire services count the cost of rescuing obese people