BLIND pensioner Nora Harts was missing for six hours before being found shivering and wrapped in plastic near to the canal.

Mrs Harts, 80, of Gisburn Road, Barrowford, was taken to hospital suffering from slight hypothermia where she has been detained.

Husband Ray said: "She has been kept in hospital but is doing very well now. She will not be going out walking alone again as unfortunately she is blind."

Police have thanked the public for their help in responding to a "sky shout" from the police helicopter which led led them to finding Mrs Harts before things turned even more serious.

Since she became blind Mrs Harts had been out alone only once before, and that time she fell into a stream.

She left her home at about 3pm on Sunday and when she had not returned by 6.15pm her husband alerted the police. A widespread search of the area began, the police helicopter was called out and the Rossendale Search and Rescue Team was put on standby.

After loudhailer messages were made from the heicopter, police received calls that a elderly lady with a white stick had been seen near Barrowford Locks, close to the reservoir.

At 9pm she was found near to the lock keeper's cottage on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, very cold and wrapped in some plastic she had found.

Insp Michael Marren said police were grateful to the public in responding to the "sky shout" and pointing them in the direction os the missing woman.