UPTON'S new rescue organisation could be up and running in three months, with a fully-trained team of volunteers.

Funds from the Severn Area Rescue Association, parent body of the Upton SARA unit, will help get it off the ground, but local fundraising has already begun at the King's Head, Swan and White Lion.

It is hoped to reach the initial target of £15,000 with the help of a grant from Lloyds TSB Foundation and there are longer term plans to apply for Lottery money.

Upton Marina has provided two buildings as an administrative base and boat store, Phoenix Data has offered help with communications and the TIC will be a collection centre.

"We want to get a significant rescue station operating here and because of SARA's exemplary reputation, companies are very happy to offer support," said chairman Dave Walker, at a meeting in the King's Head last week.

He said there had been a lot of interest from the boating community, including people already trained to Royal Yachting Association standards. RYA training would be essential for the Upton boat crews, who would work alongside the police and fire services.

The unit would be a water-based rescue and flood-relief service for the area, with two rescue boats and two vehicles for towing, carrying sandbags and ferrying people through floods.

"We need to have at least a dozen trained volunteers before we become operational," said Mr Walker.

SARA's executive chairman Alan Palmer said the Upton unit would be able to call in extra help from other SARA stations at Chepstow and Sharpness.

n Saving postage stamps, foreign coins, aluminium cans and ink cartridges are some of the ways people are being invited to raise money for Severn Area Rescue Association. Mobile phones and chargers, working or not, laser printer toner cartridges and inkjet cartridges can all be saved. Cans with a recycle logo should be squashed and stamps (except current first and second class ones or those that say 1st and 2nd) should be saved with a border of paper around them. Cash donations can be handed in at the TIC and collection points for other items will be set up soon.