A SPECIALLY trained crew was called to rescue a woman stranded on the banks of the River Irwell in Rawtenstall this morning.

The 18-year-old was spotted 15 feet down a steep embankment and unable to get to safety from the river, alongside Bocholt Way, the fire service said.

Firefighters from Rawtenstall, Nelson and Hyndburn were called - and a boat crew from Preston - at 6.45am.

Crews lowered a rescue cage to the woman, who was believed to be showing the first signs of hypothermia, and pulled her to safety.

A fire service spokesman said: "The woman was found 15 feet down at the riverbank and it was unclear whether she fell down there or went down on her own accord.

"Crews used the aerial ladder platform and the cage to get down and pull her up.

"It is unclear whether she had been in the water at any point, however she was found on the bank by the fire service.

"The police had called the fire service and alerted us to it.

"The woman was potentially showing the first signs of hypothermia and was taken to hospital by paramedics."

An ambulance service spokesman said they recieved several calls about a woman being seen on the river bank.

The spokesman said the teenager was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

PSCO Chris Hamer said: "At 06:30am we were alerted to a concern for welfare for a woman.

"Patrols attended and found a woman in the river, conscious and breathing.

"She has been taken to hospital as a precaution."