A DRAMATIC river rescue was staged near Asda in Rawtenstall to help PC Dale Pollard launch his new book of Rossendale's wildlife.

Dale, who is the wildlife officer for the Valley has taken more than just a passing interest in his job.

With help from amateur photographers, he has helped capture stunning pictures of the Valley's wildlife, flora and fauna which have been published in the book.

So far 3,000 copies of the book have been printed and each has 95 full-colour pages, illustrating the diverse range of wildlife and plants from foxes and owls to birds and wild flowers.

To launch it, Dale enlisted the help of Rossendale Search and Rescue Team, one of the charities which will benefit from the book's sale.

Team leader Dave Barrington said: "We put a mock casualty into the River Irwell and abseiled in. The casualty was put on a stretcher before a lift out of the water by ropes."

Dale has lived in Rossendale since 1976 and has spent much of his spare time walking on the moors, woods and valleys.

He wanted to share his love of the area and its wildlife with others and so set about producing the book.

All proceeds from the book will go back into protecting wildlife and human life through Lancashire Badger Rescue, the RSPCA, the RSPB and Rossendale Search and Rescue Team.

The book is on sale through Asda in Rawtenstall, whose staff helped with the project.