A man in his 70s had to be rescued from the River Severn after his narrowboat became stranded.

His blue boat became stuck on a barrier called a weir boom in the river at Diglis Lock, Worcester.

His wife was stranded on the river bank as the drama unfolded. It is believed a strong river current swept the boat to the barrier, which stops boats going into the weir, where it became trapped.

Onlookers and passers-by watched on as water response units took to the water to rescue the man, who is believed to be 76 years old.

A spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "A narrow boat was stuck to the barriers, while one male was on board.

"He was rescued and taken back to the riverside and was reunited with his wife.

"The fire crew later rescued the stranded boat too, with the help of the lock keeper."

It happened at around 5pm on Sunday near the lock keeper's cottage.

The man suffered no injuries

Two fire crews from Worcester and Droitwich attended the scene, along with a water first responder unit from Malvern, which led the man safely back to shore.

In December we reported how an unmanned boat, called “Expensive Hobby”, was seen spinning in the fast flowing waters of the Severn on a collision course for city bridges .

But disaster was averted thanks to the quick and courageous actions of specialist boat crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

At one point the vessel drifted perilously close to the central pillar of the railway bridge as firefighters were locked in a dynamic race against time to secure the vessel before it was dashed to pieces in the swirling waters.

Despite the speed of the loose boat, firefighters were able to pull alongside and board her, securing her to railings on the bank with ropes close to Grandstand Road.