Fears of a drowning in the Kennet and Avon Canal at Devizes were sparked when a car was found submerged on Sunday morning.

Police were called to the canal near Victoria Road shortly after 7am when a passing member of the public saw a wheel protruding from the water.

Officers were at the scene within ten minutes and appealed to Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to send their underwater search team.

The frogmen investigated but found there was no one in the green Nissan Micra, which had been stolen from a local address.

Acting Inspector Andy Noble said: “We think it rolled down the embankment from Victoria Road but whether it was done deliberately or not we don’t know.

“We are just grateful that the car was empty.”

Officers from British Waterways also attended the scene on Sunday and employed a boom to stop oil, petrol and other liquids escaping into the canal.

The petrol tank had ruptured when the car hit the water.

Police investigations are continuing and anyone with information should contact Devizes police on 0845 408 7000.