AN unconscious mountain bike rider was stretchered to safety off the moors above Cowpe by Rossendale Search and Rescue Team.

Brian Trickett, 36, from Rawtenstall was with his son Lee, 15, when he collapsed and is believed to have suffered an epileptic fit at about 8.30pm yesterday.

There were also some walkers in the area taking advantage of the newly reopened footpaths in Rossendale and someone went to a neighbouring farm to raise the alarm.

Rossendale Search and Rescue Team leader Dave Barrington said: "He had been riding his mountain bike when we understand he collapsed and there was a suggestion he might have had an epileptic fit.

"We treated him as an unconscious patient and we are still waiting for the results from Bury General Hospital which is where he was taken to.

"We were fortunate there are lots of lanes up Cowpe and the weather has been particularly good so the ground is hard and we could get our vehicles very near to the casualty."

Two search and rescue vehicles, a dozen team members including the team doctor, ambulance paramedics and police attended.