POLICE were called to a stretch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal last night after a man was found with an injured leg claiming two of his friends were in the water.

The incident happened near Kingsbridge Wharf, Blackburn, at about 11.40pm yesterday.

Insp Graham Ashworth said: “A drunken male with an injured leg was found at the side of the canal saying two of his friends were in the canal.

“We searched the area for an hour and a half and found nobody.”

The fire service was also called to the scene but witnesses told rescue crews that only one person had been seen.