A MASSIVE search operation including mountain rescuers, police and Lancashire Constabulary's helicopter was launched in the early hours of today after a car was abandoned in a car park near Hameldon Hill above Hapton.

The vehicle, believed to belong to a young woman, was discovered with a suicide note inside.

Rossendale Search and Rescue Team were called in at 3.30am and a 15-man team combed nearby woodland.

Deputy team leader Paul Higgin said: "We are looking for a missing woman. We were called out at 3.30am and 15 members of our team responded.

"So far we have not found anything and the search continues."