A NEW amphibious vehicle has passed its test with flying colours for a county rescue service.

The six wheel drive Stalwart is the latest addition to the fleet of Rapid Response Rescue Service, part of the Cleeve Care Group, and was put through its water worthiness test at Upton Marina.

Rapid Response's managing director Rob Flexer said: "The Stalwart adds a significant further dimension to our rescue and support capability. It can get virtually anywhere to rescue anyone stranded or to deliver sandbags and other essentials during times of flood or snow.”

Rapid Response, as well as helping with routine hospital patient transfer, provides back-up emergency support to the NHS, the fire and rescue services, social services, local authorities and also helps Link Homecare maintain its record of always reaching clients whatever the weather and conditions.

The Stalwart was completely renovated and re-furbished by Worcester based Amdac-Carmichael. The company's head of operations Simon Pitt said added: "This has been an absorbing restoration project for us to work on and, although the water test was really just a formality, it’s always re-assuring to see that everything’s watertight and working as planned.”