THREE fire crews raced to the Lancaster canal in the early hours when a canal cruiser burst into flames.

Retained crews from Carnforth and Bolton-le-Sands were called to the Canal Turn, off Lancaster Road, at 5.03am.

The cruiser suffered severe damage in the blaze.

No-one was injured in the fire and the owner of the boat has not yet been found.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said environmental damage was minimal because the fibre glass boat stayed in one piece.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.