An elderly wrestling fan whose hero was taking a beating in a televised bout has dialled 999 to request urgent police intervention.

Nora Cuthbert, 64, called Edinburgh police after watching "Stone-Cold" Steve Austin come a cropper against "Triple H" in a World Wrestling Federation bout broadcast live from Manchester on cable TV.

Ms Cuthbert, a retired caretaker, pleaded with officers to step in to save the wrestler from injury.

Bemused officers said that the fight was largely choreographed and no genuine assault was taking place.

But Ms Cuthbert was adamant that she was right to ask for police help.

She said: "He was getting a real battering and there was blood everywhere.

'Really worried'

"It just wasn't fair, Triple H never plays a fair game and he was hitting poor Mr Austin with a hammer.

"People say it is not real and it is all staged, but I knew it was real and he was hurt and I wasn't going to stand by and watch it happen."

A police spokesman said: "I'm quite sure it was not a police matter from start to finish.

"It was an unusual call and, with the gentleman being in Manchester, there was little we could have done - even if it had been a real assault.

"The woman was really worried and officers tried to reassure her.

"We take every call seriously but felt in this instance it was not an emergency situation."