DORSET and Wiltshire's fire service spent £120 on four Acrow props to specifically assist with the rescue of obese or bariatric people, in 2016.

In the same year the service invested in hoists and two stretchers - which cost £2,156 - to assist with bariatric cases.

Following a Freedom of Information request, the service revealed it was called out 34 times in one year to assist local hospitals and ambulance services to move obese people in 2018. There were a further three incidents in January 2018.

Overall, Dorset & Wilts Fire and Rescue has been called out 120 times to help move so-called bariatric cases since 2013 - although figures from April 2016 onwards include those from the merged services.

The ages of the people assisted by the service range from their 20s up to the age of 99.

Methods used to help bariatric victims include carrying out, aerial appliance, and two incidences where specialist rope rescue was required.