A pair of neighbourhood wardens helped rescue a four-month-old baby girl from a locked car in Thamesmead.

She had reportedly been left alone by her dad for some time in the vehicle, which was parked in direct sunlight by Evenlode House in Coralline Walk.

Chris Waite and Ben Ashworth, who work as wardens for Gallions Housing Association, were alerted to the situation by the baby’s cries at just after 2.30pm on August 5.

Shielding her from the sun, Chris stood in front of the window to block the rays as colleague Ben went to their warden vehicle to sound the horn and attract attention.

Chris said: "The baby was crying and the situation was getting worse as her head was turning red from the direct sunlight.

"She was in obvious discomfort but we couldn’t smash the glass without endangering her. It was very distressing."

A call was made to the police and Met officers arrived within minutes, giving Chris and Ben the authority to force entry into the car.

Chris said: "We checked the exhaust pipe and it was cold, indicating the vehicle had been parked for some time.

"We couldn’t get in there quick enough."

As soon as the little girl was removed, Chris and a police officer applied first aid as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

They also gave her water using a bottle top to wet her lips, to which she responded immediately.

She was then admitted to hospital for dehydration, observations and a general check-up and has since made a full recovery.

The father, aged 20 and from Greenwich, arrived back at the scene and told police he had been to a friend’s house and had forgotten about his daughter.

He was arrested on suspicion of child neglect and possessing a Class B drug.

He has been released on police bail until the first week of October.