IT was meant to be a quick comfort stop, but instead became a terrifying nightmare that left a little girl traumatised.

Six-year-old Caprice Haynes was trapped inside a pitch-dark public loo for more than 20 minutes when the automatic door failed to open.

Firefighters had to free the youngster, after her panicking mum was left with no choice but to dial 999.

Standing helplessly outside with younger daughter Macy, Kirsty Hinton tried feeding more coins into the automated cubicle when Caprice said that the door would not open.

She rang the emergency number but was told that nothing could be done because all the company’s engineers were busy.

The operator took Kirsty’s number and said that someone would call her back.

Eventually she was forced to call for emergency help.

Kirsty and her daughters were returning from a day trip to Southampton city centre from their home in Thornhill when they stopped off at the loo in Pound Tree Road, Southampton, before catching a bus.

Although a sign on the door says that it should not be used by under-tens without supervision, Kirsty, 20, said that she had to let Caprice in there alone.

“I had my other little one and the pushchair with me, so we couldn’t all fit inside. She’s been in there before and knew how to get out,” said Kirsty.

“She’s really shaken up by it and told me she won’t use the toilet again because she’s scared of the door closing.

“She was screaming and crying inside. She was petrified because it went dark in there and the floor was being washed.”

St Mary’s fire station watch manager Sean Foster said that parents with young children should not let them use the loos on their own.

“They’re not designed for children to go in on their own,” he said.

“Luckily, we managed to release her without causing any damage, but it should serve as a warning to parents of young children.”

The toilet is owned and operated by JC Decaux. No one from the firm was available for comment last night.