Coastguard teams scrambled after 'flare' reportedly fired

Teams from Knott End and Fleetwood conducted a thorough search of the area after receiving a call at around 8pm on 27 February from Thornton, say the coastguard.

The teams were stood down after it was discovered that two fishermen in the area reported seeing shooting stars at around the same time.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: "Two people from Thornton reported seeing a flare being fired in the area of the River Wyre.

"Two coast guard rescue teams from Knott End and Fleetwood conducted a search of the area.

"We later received reports of a meteor shower from fishermen who were in the area at the same time."