HOLIDAYMAKERS were forced into an unexpected overnight stay in Blackburn after being left high and dry by a police canal search.

The boat-trippers travelling along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal were stopped from passing through the spot, near the Lower Audley Street area of Blackburn, where it was believed a baby may have been thrown into the water on Monday night.

Tourists on barges were turned back from their trips along the canal and forced to wait overnight on Tuesday at the Groundwork basin while the search continued.

Paul and Dorrie Grange of Sheffield, had stopped their hotel boat Tiny Purple, carrying two passengers, to shop at Asda at Grimshaw Park. Dorrie said: "We moored up near Asda and stayed overnight and then on Tuesday we were told we would have to move to Groundwork. If we hadn't stopped there we probably would have got through before anything happened."

Paul said: "If the police find nothing, and I hope they don't, then we could be on our way soon. But if things are going to take longer then we may have to re-route, but that would take us about three weeks to get to our destination in Skipton, and we would have to re-arrange our other trips. We may have to get the barge lifted out of the water."

Grandad Frank Collins of Adlington is holidaying on the canal with his five grandsons.

He said: "We are trying to get to the Yorkshire Moors. The only problem I have had with the disruption is the lack of communication. We seem to have been kept in the dark about what has been happening. I have sympathy with what they are doing, but I am on my boat with five kids who can't wait to get to the countryside."

The search was due to end today before the 1.6-mile stretch of canal was filled re-opened to the public.

Picture: Paul and Dorrie Grange, of Sheffield, with their hotel boat, Tiny Purple