WORCESTER firefighters have been sent to help emergency crews tackling a damaged dam in Derbyshire.

Residents have been evacuated from Whaley Bridge due to the risk of flooding from the reservoir.

One crew of seven and an officer has been sent, with a high-volume pump from Kidderminster set to be installed to reduce water levels.

Our firefighters arrived last night and started pumping water out of the reservoir this morning.

The Environment Agency said about 85 per cent of people in Whaley Bridge have been evacuated so far.

Station commander from the fire rescue team, Lee Watson, is supervising the crew and is currently assisting with the activity at Whaley Bridge.

Emergency workers are attempting to get the reservoir’s water level down, to reduce pressure on the wall and allow repairs to begin.