Fire crews from Colne, Nelson, Burnley and Preston were called in to probe four miles of river to ensure no one was at risk of drowning. After two hours, the search was called off and there have since been no reports of anyone missing.

The drama began around 8 p.m. on Tuesday when police arrested two burglary suspects in the South Valley area of Colne. Police say there was a suggestion a third possible offender may have made his way into Colne Water near the botttom of Shaw Street.

Police and firefighters began the search there and made their way downstream, being joined by a water rescue crew from Nelson and a major incident support unit team from Preston.

Between them, they searched the vast majority of the river through Colne, Barrowford, Nelson and Brierfield to Quaker Bridge. In the meantime, the Burnley crew were at Barden Lane, where they kept observations on the fast-flowing flood water in case a victim reached that point.

The police helicopter was not available to help with the search, but firefighters used thermal imaging cameras, which would have pinpointed the body heat of a victim in the water.

Station Manager Dave Jackson, of the fire and rescue service, said: "We covered everything from Colne to Quaker Bridge, covering four miles of riverbank where we could access it without putting crews at risk."

On Wednesday, Insp. Ian Cooper, head of policing in Colne, said: "We are satisfied no one is in the water at this time."