POLICE are looking for a mystery man who pulled a pensioner from a burning car and may have saved his life.

Joseph Heaton, 81, is recovering in hospital after his car set on fire at an East Lancashire beauty spot.

The pensioner, of St James' Road, Blackburn, suffered burns to his leg and face in the incident at Marles Wood, Dinckley, on Saturday morning.

He was transferred to the specialist burns unit at the Royal Preston Hospital, where his condition today was said to be comfortable.

He was waiting in his Volkswagen Polo while his wife went for a walk and is thought to have been smoking a pipe which fell on to the passenger seat and set the vehicle alight.

He was pulled to safety by a passer-by, who police now believe may have saved his life.

A police spokesman said: "We are trying to trace the man who pulled Mr Heaton from the burning car.

"We think he may have been a GP and possibly from the Preston area. We are trying to put together a picture of what happened and urgently need to talk to him. He played a big part in saving this man's life."

If you can help, please contact Clitheroe Police on 01200 443344.

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