POLICE called to reports of a man jumping off a bridge spotted a swimmer who stood up - to reveal he was naked.

Burnley magistrates heard how Carl Rushton, 33, shouted abuse after being coaxed out of the River Calder - and although barely able to stand, managed to put his clothes back on.

Rushton, of Cobden Street, Padiham, was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered pay £40 costs, after admitting being drunk and disorderly on Sunday.

Linda Forshaw, prosecuting, said at about 8.15pm, police were told a man had jumped off the bridge, on Burnley Road, Padiham.

A group of youths were looking over and the officer saw a man swimming in the water.

Rushton stood up and was naked. His clothes were on the bank. The officer went down to coax the defendant out of the water and he eventually came out.

He was barely able to stand and shouted abuse at the crowd.

Miss Forshaw said Rushton was too drunk to take notice of the officer's warnings, but managed to get dressed after being handed his clothes.

Several residents came out to see what was going on and some were "quite alarmed," by Rushton's behaviour.

Richard Taylor, defending, said it was the "Padiham Riviera," on Sunday night and the defendant had far too much to drink.

He went on: "There's always one, isn't there?"

He said Rushton was dared to jump off the bridge into the river and did - losing his trunks in the process.

His friends moved his clothes away. Mr Taylor went on: "Its not surprising people were out watching."

He added Rushton apologised for his behaviour which was "very much in the heat of the moment."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.