Police in Australia have rescued a naked man who got stuck inside a washing machine while playing a game of hide-and-seek.

The man reportedly hid inside the top-loading machine so he could surprise his partner.

But he became stuck and it took 20 minutes for rescuers to dislodge him using olive oil as a lubricant.

Firefighters, paramedics and a search-and-rescue squad were also called to help with the situation.

The incident took place on Saturday in Mooroopna town, north of Melbourne, in Victoria state.

Sergeant Michelle De Araugo said "it was just a game gone wrong", according to Agence-France Presse news agency.

"It would be fair to say the gentleman was very embarrassed."

Another officer cautioned against misusing household equipment.

"My advice would be for people not to climb into appliances - obviously that [can] cause a number of issues, as we've seen on the weekend," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted First Constable Luke Ingram as saying.