A BODY has been pulled from Appleton Reservoir after almost three hours of searching for a lost swimmer.

Police and fire crews were scrambled to the reservoir, near Walton Hall golf course, after receiving calls from onlookers claiming a 16-year-old boy had jumped in the water and not resurfaced.

A body was recovered at around 4.30pm.

Police received a call at around 1.50pm from onlookers who saw a 16-year-old boy go into the reservoir and not resurface.

The underwater search unit was sent to the scene to try find him.

Two fire engines, the fire service rescue boat, the line rescue unit and the hydraulic platform unit all attended the scene.

They searched the body of water but did not find the swimmer.

The identity of the boy is not yet known, but it is believed he was with a crowd of friends.

Fire crews, police and the underwater unit are still at the scene.

Park Lane is closed between Hough Lane and Warrington Road, and will remain closed for the time being.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has renewed its warning not to swim in open bodies of water.