A MAJOR police search was sparked yesterday after a vulnerable man jumped from a car window and escaped his carers.

Police were called to Harvey Street in Oswaldtwistle after the 33-year-old man gave his carers the slip and fled on foot.

Carers alerted police to the man's disappearance, who is in full-time care at West End Community Centre in Thwaites Road, and a major search was immediately launched. Lancashire Police's helicopter, patrol cars and foot patrols were deployed to the scene.

An hour was spent scouring the streets of Oswaldtwistle in a bid to find the missing man after he escaped at around 3.05pm.

He was eventually found in Aspen Fold at 4.07pm after a member of public spotted him and contacted police.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "A 33-year-old mental patient, who has the mental age of a three year-old, climbed out of a car window in Harvey Street, Oswaldtwistle.

"A search of the area was carried out by police and the police helicopter went up 10 minutes after he went missing to try and find him.

"A member of public spotted him making his way back towards Aspen Fold, Oswaldtwistle, and contacted us.

"The man, who was in full care, at West End Community Centre was found in that area at 4.07pm.

"He was found safe and well and was not hurt in anyway."

West End Community Centre was unavailable for comment.