DAVE Walker, station commander at Upton SARA, has temporarily stood down from the post after more than four years.

Mr Walker, who runs a house renovation business alongside his voluntary work for the river rescue team, has decided to take a sabbatical to concentrate on his business.

"I'm standing down for a short time as I've got two very big contracts at the moment and, frankly, the amount of time SARA swallows up is incredible," he said. "As soon as the initial panics and priorities calm down, I'm aiming to return."

Mr Walker was instrumental in setting up the Upton branch of SARA in 2001.

A former sub officer at the town's retained fire station, he resigned in 1999 after a dispute with Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade. He then decided to work with SARA and has been local station commander ever since.

Mr Walker said that he was finding it hard to stand back from the rescue organisation.

"When you've been doing something for this long it's very hard to switch off," he said. "I'm supposed to be having a sabbatical but just this weekend I was helping out at SARA's Wyre Forest station.

"But we are a voluntary organisation and have to make sure that there's someone at the helm that can provide the appropriate time and commitment."

Richard Myers, who runs R and L Myers Family Butchers in Upton, will take over as station commander.

Mr Myers, who has been involved with SARA for four years, was previously station manager.

He said combining the new role with his work in the shop could be tricky initially.

"It's going to be a bit more of a challenge for me," he said.

Anyone interested in joining the team at SARA, should call 01684 591444.