TWO embarrassed police community support officers inadvertently caused an arresting sight when their vehicle became stuck on a pile of rubble.

Neighbours gathered to watch the hapless pair's predicament and then helped them at the junction of Fishmoor Drive and Holmbrook Close in Blackburn.

The male community support officers' white liveried car became grounded up to three feet above ground, with the front tyres caught and the rear wheels hanging in mid-air.

Residents said 'four or five' cars had become stranded there 'in recent years' and called for the site to be 'barricaded up properly' as it was more or less a dead end.

Details of the incident, which was also caught on video, spread rapidly on social media.

Zara Cook, of Holmbrook Close, who lives next to the site, rescued the officers by towing them free.

The 32-year-old said: "I said to a friend, 'There's a police car stuck in the rubble'.

"It was completely stuck. I towed it off with my car with a rope belonging to a neighbour.

"The driver looked embarrassed but the passenger was laughing."

She added: "I don't know how long they had been there but they were stuck a good half-hour at least.

"We were all laughing apart from the driver."

MORE TOP STORIES:

Almost a dozen neighbours were involved in the rescue, plus three council officials.

Miss Cook said the officers did not say why they had tried to cross the pile of gravel, which has 'vehicles forbidden' signs on either side as well as bollards to one side.

Residents said the abandoned site was often targeted by flytippers, with burnt out cars and joyriders seen in the area.

The land there has stood empty since houses built on the site were demolished nearly 20 years ago.

Cockermouth Close and Maryport Close were the last streets at the end of Fishmoor Drive up to the railway line but all that remains now after the junction of Fishmoor Drive and Holmbrook Close is a turning circle.

Another neighbour said she and two other women had sat in the back of the car in a vain attempt to rock the car and free it.

She said: "I went out to laugh and take a picture. The back wheels were not even on the ground.

"I just do not know what they were trying to do. I did not see any damage but I imagine all the underside might be scratched."

She said she thought the car was stuck for about three-quarters of an hour.

It was still in a sound mechanical condition immediately after the incident.

A passer-by said: "At first I thought they may have been chasing one of the field bikes that the area has a problem with.

"When I was towing them I told one of them we wouldn't get over it. I tried to tow them off but the chain snapped.

"I think it was just a silly mistake that they probably won't live down for a while."

A Lancashire police spokesman said the officers were conducting inquiries but did not comment on how the support officers had become stuck or whether they would face any disciplinary action.

He said: “Two officers were responding to a call when their vehicle became stuck close to Fishmoor Drive.

“We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted them in getting back on the road and able to continue their inquiries.”