The Peugeot 406 remains in the Union Canal, near Winchburgh in West Lothian

Two men have been charged with reckless conduct after a car which was being driven on a frozen canal plunged through the ice.

The men, aged 24 and 22, are accused of driving a Peugeot 406 on the Union Canal, near Winchburgh in West Lothian, on Monday afternoon.

The ice gave way but the occupants managed to escape from the car, which was found by the emergency services.

The two men are expected to appear in court at a later date.

A police spokesman said: "While it goes without saying that the vast majority of people have the good sense not to take their vehicles on to frozen waterways, this incident serves as an example of the type of stupidity that the emergency services occasionally have to deal with."

He added: "The ice is now starting to thin, and there is always going to be the danger that it will give way, with potentially fatal consequences."