A REDDITCH man who played a crucial role in dealing with the severe floods last year was honoured by the Prime Minister on Monday when he was invited to Downing Street.

Pete Baker, of Crabbs Cross, is commander of Worcester Fire Station as well as an assistant divisional officer in the Hereford and Worcestershire Brigade.

When the Severn burst its banks crippling Worcester in November and December, it was Mr Baker who co-ordinated the region's rescue procedures on both a strategic and hands-on basis.

He also made the crunch decision to evacuate Worcester Royal Infirmary when the flood waters rose to a dangerous level, a move which made headlines across the country.

The invitation to Downing Street was extended to him and others across the country who worked tirelessly through the period to keep things moving.

Mr Baker, 46, said: "I felt very privileged to be invited to Downing Street and pleased that my name was put forward.

"Without a doubt, the floods were as bad as those in 1948, if not worse, and I was working 13 and 14-hour days so I was extremely tired when it was over.

"But it's these situations for which we are trained."

Mr Baker, who spent 14 years at Redditch Fire Station, was only promoted to assistant divisional officer in July.

He said: "Although I have been involved in these sort of co-ordinations to some extent before, you could say I was thrown in at the deep end."