FIREFIGHTERS had to "forcibly remove" a man from the river just after midnight on Monday.

The 55-year-old in the river near Diglis was arrested once out of the water in connection with a public order incident and the assault of a police officer on the riverbank.

The ambulance service were called to the North Parade area of the river Severn to rescue the man who had fallen in at 12.08am.

The fire service were also called and officers first tried to rescue the man using a throw line.

Two more appliances were sent out, one to Weir Lane, after the situation was reconsidered.

A spokesman for the fire service said the man, who has been described as a vulnerable adult by police, had to be "forcibly removed from the river and was arrested."

He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for treatment although an ambulance spokesman said he did not appear to have any serious injuries.

He is currently in custody at Worcester police station.