A WALKER used his mobile phone to call for help after falling into a swamp in Bolton.

The man was walking near to the M61 motorway and Middlebrook railway station when he fell into the marsh.

He managed to alert police via his mobile phone and a search was launched involving the force's helicopter, India 99.

The air support unit searched the swamp using the aircraft's thermal imaging equipment and located the man, who was in difficulty.

Officers on the ground were then guided to him and he was pulled to safety.

The walker, who did not want to be named, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment after the incident at 9pm on Wednesday.

Sergeant Phil Rainford, of the air support unit, said: "We used the helicopter to provide lighting while officers on the ground pulled the man to safety."