A large number of police officers were called to Greenside playing fields in Euxton after a dog walker discovered the body at 9.15am on Saturday (August 23).

The incident was made top priority and officers were taken off other patrols in the area, however, when they got to the scene they found the unconscious teenager had passed out after an alcohol and drug binge.

Paramedics arrived at the playing fields and carried out medical checks on the 17-year-old from Euxton before he was taken home to his mum's house nearby.

Sgt Andy Bramhall, of Chorley's neighbourhood policing team, said: "The body was fully clothed and the person who reported the incident said the body was clothed but looked 'lifeless'.

"When officers arrived they found that the teenager was still breathing but was unresponsive.

"It appears that he had been taking opiates and alcohol the night before.

"He could have died from hypothermia and was lucky to still be alive the next morning.

"We were on high alert because when a report of a body comes in it becomes top priority.

"There were 10 to 15 officers who were called to the scene and who then found out that there had not been a murder and that there was no crime involved."

One local resident, who did not want to be named, says she and many other dog walkers frequently use the playing fields to exercise their pets. She said she was 'relieved' not to have found the 'dead body'.

She said: "Anybody with an ounce of sense wouldn't go down there at night, it's not well lit and is used for drinking and taking drugs.

"I'm just glad I didn't make the discovery because on Saturday morning I chose to walk my dog elsewhere.

"There is an issue with youths gathering and drinking under age. There can be quite a number of them, aged from 15 up to 20 years old.

"Drugs are taken because it is dark and there are plenty of escape routes. The police are well aware of it and confiscate alcohol, but there are only a handful of bobbies to tackle large groups of youths."