AN extensive search of the canal area in Daneshouse, Burnley, was made last night after reports that two people were in the water.

The police helicopter was brought in and the underwater search unit put on stand-by.

Sergeant Tony Longton said the circumstances were still unclear but a man had been seen and confirmed that both people in the water had got out.

It is thought one may have fallen into the canal and the other went in to rescue him.

Emergency services were alerted at about 8.15pm by a boy who said he had seen two people in the water near to the Daneshouse Community Centre but that he had not seen them get out.

Sgt Longton said: "The story we had gave us cause for concern. The search took some time before we eventually located the adult who confirmed that both were out and safe."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.