Wellington  - An escape bid by two New Zealand prisoners handcuffed together came to grief when each ran either side of a lamp-post, news reports said on Friday.

The pair made a break for freedom as police escorted them from the Hastings District Court. They had not gotten far when they swung around the pole and collided with each other before collapsing in a tangle.

Each blamed the other for their actions, the Dominion Post reported.

The incident was captured by the court's closed circuit TV cameras, ensuring continuing entertainment for law enforcement authorities. dpa