A TEAM of bomb disposal experts attended a canal earlier today after a hand grenade was found in the water.

The incident, reported at around 3.30pm, saw an area near High Street, Rishton, cordoned off while officers dealt with the situation.

The grenade proved to be "not a viable explosive" and experts were happy that the explosive was not a danger to the public. They will conduct a further investigation into finding out the source of the item.

Lancashire Police had earlier said: "We are currently at the scene of an ongoing incident in Rishton.

"We were called at around 3.30pm to a report of a suspected hand grenade that had been found in water near High Street.

"A cordon is in place and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team is aware and attending."

Within hours, the grenade was removed from the water and inspected - which is when it was deemed to be safe.

The cordon was then removed and activity in the area has resumed as normal. 

This incident comes after a major leak sprung up on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Rishton and Church earlier this month.

The leak was located between New Barn Bridge and Aspen Bridge in Rishton, with the water level dropping considerably in the area, though it is now believed to be back at its normal level.