PRANKSTERS who sparked off a major search and rescue operation over the weekend have been slammed for putting lives at risk.

Police called in the Rossendale Search and Rescue Team to search the Bull Hill area of Holcombe Moor after a red distress flare was seen shortly after 9pm on Saturday (Sept 6) by an off-duty police officer and staff at a drugs rehabilitation clinic.

Seventeen volunteers scoured the area assisted by helicopters from the Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police.

Two further flares were then fired on the opposite side of the valley at Shuttleworth. The search group transferred to that area but again were unable to find a walker in distress.

Rescue Team leader Mr David Barrington of Bury said: "The team carried out intensive searches of both areas as a result of the distress flares but nothing was found.

"Obviously the flares were set off as a prank, an act that could have cost lives in the long run. The moorlands are precarious in the day time never mind at night.

"Those responsible should be made aware of the danger those involved in the search were put in and the cost of such operations."

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