A rescue mission off Blackpool was halted when a laser was shone at a search helicopter.
RNLI crews were called after reports of someone entering the sea near Manchester Square, but the aircraft had to withdraw for forty minutes.
The incident happened at just after 11pm on Friday.
Steve Fitzgerald, Blackpool RNLI Chair and Lifeboat Press Officer, said 'This was a lengthy and protracted search based on the information supplied, and the deployment of Rescue 936 helicopter was deemed essential to support our Lifeboat crews. It beggars belief that anyone would want target a Search and Rescue helicopter to prevent them doing their lifesaving task, whilst also being a very real danger to the flying crew'
No one was found and inquiries continue.
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