A stolen van with it's engine still running was found dumped in a canal.

Emergency services were called to the incident at the canal on Gorse Street, Blackburn at 12.40am on Saturday.

Fire crews, including the water rescue team, life boat and air support unit attended in order to search the water for any people who may have been trapped or injured.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "When we arrived we found a van with its engine still running had been driven the canal.

"We weren't sure if there was anyone trapped in the vehicle so we called for extra support and launched the boat, putting crews in the water to check for casualties.

"The drone was also used with a thermal imaging camera mounted onto it to increase the search area."

Luckily, no one was found or reported injured.

The police were called and it is believed the van had been stolen from Bolton.

Crews were in attendance for just over and hour and investigation is now being carried out.