The youngster got wedged in the ride at the Focus DIY store on the Pytchley Road Industrial Estate, Kettering, and had to be freed by firefighters.

In his excitement, the boy tried to sit on Postman Pat rather than on the seat next to him yesterday lunchtime.

He got jammed between Postman Pat and his steering wheel – with the large nose of the popular children’s character digging into his back.

Despite efforts by his mother and others to free him, the fire service was called to help and they cut the roof off the little red van and also took off Postman Pat’s nose.

The boy, who was stuck for about 30 minutes, was unhurt and firefighters said he was very brave during the operation.

Watch manager Steve Skeel said: “The little boy was very good – one of the best we have seen in a while.

“We didn’t want to scare him with the big cutting tools we use so we explained to him first what we were going to do and the noise they would make.

“Unfortunately we did have to cut off Postman Pat’s nose – luckily it wasn’t Fireman Sam or we would have felt guilty.

“We have never had to rescue someone from a child’s ride before.”

The ride has now been removed from the store and has been boxed up ready to be taken away.