Michelle Robinson, 44, and Stephen Robinson, 48, were trapped inside the world-famous wax museum in Blackpool, Lancashire, during a visit earlier this month.

In a desperate situation, Michelle resorted to urinating in a bin while they scavenged for drinks and snacks at a bar until their eventual release.

Despite being alerted by staff that the museum was closing soon, the couple was plunged into darkness as the lights went out and discovered chains barring the exits. Their cries for help and attempts to attract attention by banging on windows were futile.

After failing to reach relatives and being trapped inside for four and a half hours, they contacted the police, who directed them to the Lancashire Fire service. The fire service finally managed to notify a manager to free them.

Michelle recounted: "We were in disbelief.

"We couldn't believe that such a big company would let his happen.

"I was shaking and I was sick of the bin, because I was so nervous.

"We just wanted to get out of there so we could have panicked and smashed the door or the windows but we didn't.

"I was trying so hard to have a panic attack but I am claustrophobic - there is nothing worse than being locked in somewhere when you are claustrophobic.

"It was the worst experience I've ever had in my life."

The couple decided to visit Madame Tussauds in March this year as Michelle had always wanted to go and see the waxwork figures.

Michelle says they were told by a member of staff that Madame Tussauds would be closing shortly so decided to make their way to the exit - when the lights suddenly went out.

The pair then realised that there was nobody else in the building and that there were chains on the doors - which meant they were locked in.

Stephen and Michelle were both worried that there would be a serious incident, such as a fire, and they wouldn't be able to leave.

Michelle shared: "I was thinking 'what would we do if there was a fire in here? I knew we would be burnt alive and that we would be dead."

She also worried about the music that had been left playing, fearing it could overheat and cause a fire, leaving them unable to escape.

Michelle, of St Helens, Merseyside, tried to use the tourist attraction's toilets but they were locked, so she had to have a wee in a bin. She confessed: "The toilets were locked and there were chains on the fire doors."

"I had to go and have a wee in the bin, it was degrading.

"We went to the bar area and took some sweets, crisps and a drink.

"We did offer to pay for it because we didn't want to be classed as thieves."

Stephen, a charity worker, and Michelle resorted to banging on the windows in a bid to attract attention from passers-by.

They contacted Lancashire Police, who told them to call the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and they were eventually let out by a Madame Tussauds manager.

Michelle, who paid around £28 for two tickets, said: "We were banging on the doors to get out and to get the attention of people walking past.

"People were laughing at us, they thought we were messing.

"I rang the police and they told me to ring the fire brigade, who said they couldn't help.

"We logged the incident with the police, they got in contact with the staff at Madame Tussauds."

Michelle, who said that visiting Madame Tussauds was on her bucket list, was offered a free overnight tickets and complimentary tickets for the Blackpool Tower and the nearby Sea Life Centre.

But she has vowed to never visit the tourist attraction again.

Michelle said: "I enjoyed going round Madame Tussauds, the staff were really welcoming and nice when we first went into the building.

"I enjoyed it but I did think it was a little bit overrated, I thought it would be a bit better and that there would be more statues."

Closing the door on any future visits, she asserted: "I would never go back there."

"We were thinking of visiting London and visiting the London one but I couldn't put my trust into them."

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 6.10pm on 8th March to Madame Tussauds, Blackpool, to a report two members of the public were locked in the premises.

"The manager of the premises attended at 6.34pm to unlock the premises and the members of the public left at 6.44pm."

Madame Tussauds Blackpool and the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted for a comment.