Two firefighters had to enter the River Soar this afternoon to save a barge that had broken loose from the bank and was drifting down the waterway.

The vessel became untethered just before 4pm and two fire engines and a technical rescue attended the incident.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue said: “Two firefighters entered the water to secure ropes onto the barge so that it could be pulled to the side and secured.”

The service confirmed that a man was asking for help on the barge that “had become untethered” and was “drifting towards the Holiday Inn down the river soar”.

The incident was described as a “water rescue” and noted as happening at Western Boulevard in the city.

What caused the mishap has not been confirmed.

The initial emergency call was logged at 3.58pm.