POLICE divers were called to investigate whether anyone was inside a suspected stolen car spotted submerged in the Bolton and Bury Canal near Redcar Road, Little Lever.

Police were called just after 10am on Saturday after a call from a resident. A fence at the side of the canal had been smashed and police discovered tyre tracks close to the canalside. The Rover, believed to have been stolen, had entered the canal before sinking. The roof was clearly visible.

Police frogmen were called around two hours later but no one was found. A spokesman said: "We can confirm no one was discovered inside the car. We don't know how it got there. It might have been pushed in or something wedged against the accelerator."

The car was expected to be removed today.