A PATIENT suffering breathing difficulties was lifted from his flat by firefighters after calling an ambulance.

A cherry-picker was used to carry the 61-year-old through the window of his second-floor flat in Knebworth Avenue, Walthamstow, at 2.50pm on Monday.

The London Ambulance Service said the man was unable to make it down the stairs.

He is now being treated at Whipps Cross University Hospital.

Police were also called and there was minor disruption in Chingford Road.