A MAN in his 20s was saved by emergency services after falling into the River Irwell in Rawtenstall.

The incident happened near Bury Road at about 12.45am on Sunday.

Two fire crews from Rawtenstall and Nelson were called to along with specialist water rescue staff and Hyndburn's aerial ladder platform.

Police and paramedics were also called.

He was taken to hospital following the incident after complaining of a broken ankle.

The man was also suffering from being very cold after falling in the river.

Firefighter Dean Thompson said: "The man had fallen into the river, he was about early 20s.

"He kept saying he had a broken ankle.

"We managed to use the ladder platform to safely get him out of the river.

"He was very cold when we rescued him from the river and he was taken by paramedics for treatment and checks."

Emergency service were called to the incident following a 999 call from a passer-by.

A Lancashire fire service spokesman said: "A man was injured and in the river. His head was above the water but firefighters were needed to get him out of the water and to the awaiting ambulance.

"The circumstances of how he had got into the water are not known."

Councillors for the area have said an investigation needs to be held to find the cause of the incident and check safety around the river.

Cllr Annie McMahon, who represents the area on Rossendale Council, said: "We have never really had any problems like this around the river.

"It is pretty scary stuff. If someone has fallen in the river the incident needs to be looked at and we need to review safety around the site.

"If anything at all can be done to make the area safer we need to do so.

"It is something that I will be brining up with my colleagues to look in to."

Fellow Longholme ward representative Cllr Steve Hughes said: "It does come as a shock to me that this has happened.

"Thankfully it sounds like he wasn't too seriously hurt, but it could have been quite a lot worse.

"The incident clearly needs to be investigated and any appropriate action should be taken."