BEING rescued from a canal by your local MSP isn't how you would expect to end your day - but that's what happened to 81-year-old Bill Watson.

Watson was cycling home along the Forth and Clyde canal near Knightswood when his bike came off the path and landed him in the water.

Unable to reach up far enough to pull himself out, he found himself holding onto the side and calling for help ... only for SNP MSP Ivan McKee to come to the rescue.

The Glasgow Provan MSP was out for a run when he heard the cry for help.

Watson told the Evening Times: “I was approaching the bridge over the canal and I was looking out for any fast bikes coming in the opposite direction. I realised I was over too far to one side and I couldn’t get back over and then I ended up in the water.

“Everything was really heavy and I was up to my neck in water.”

He added: "Then I could see a yellow figure approaching. The look on his face when he saw me in the water was something.”

“He got me out the water. I don’t know how much longer I could have held on there for without being pulled under.”

Watson, an experienced cyclist of more than 50 years, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital and treated for hypothermia.

However, after being treated it was discovered he also had a heart problem. He was released four days later with a newly fitted pacemaker.

Watson said he was grateful to McKee for the help, and for the assistance of the MSP's office who helped locate and return his bike.

He said: "I can’t believe I was pulled out the canal by a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

“Ivan was really good and his staff really helped with the bike afterwards.”

McKee has said he will be speaking with Scottish Canals and the Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, to discuss how to make the route safer following the incident.

McKee said: “I think there are certain spots where extra barriers could help. This is one of those, where the tow path goes down a slope to the bridge.”

Recounting his experience, the SNP MSP said he was seven miles into his run when he heard Watson's cries for help.

He stated: “It was only when I was really close that I could see he was in the water. He was holding on to the side and still had a hold of the bike.

“I pulled the bike out first then two girls who were passing helped me get him out and called for an ambulance.

“He was freezing when we got him out.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Canals said: “We hope the individual concerned is now safe and well. This was undoubtedly a frightening experience but it highlights the dangers associated with an open body of water such as a canal.

“We take safety incredibly seriously but installing barriers along the canal is not always the best solution as they can make it difficult for water-based users, such as paddlers and boaters, to exit the canal in an emergency.

“However, we do work closely with community organisations and user groups throughout the year to promote our Towpath Code of Conduct and Canal Careful campaign, which was launched this year, highlighting the hazards associated with open bodies of water.

“We will continue to encourage all users to be mindful when travelling on or along the canal.”