A WATER rescue unit based in Upton-upon-Severn has been called in to help police in the search for a missing man.

An experienced police diving team from Bridgend, West Glamorgan and a Severn Area Rescue Association unit from Upton have already carried out two thorough but unsuccessful searches for 43-year-old Richard Phillips, of Shrewsbury.

He went missing on Tuesday, January 20, after attempting to swim across the River Severn near the English Bridge in Shrewsbury at 2.30am.

He had been drinking with two friends, who saw him go into the river and reach an island in mid-stream, but then lost sight of him.

Police spokesman Richard Ewels said the river was in full spate at the time and water levels were high.

"It wasn't safe to put divers in straight away, but the SARA team came up on Sunday and made a search, to no avail," he said.

Joined

A dozen of SARA's trained volunteers from Upton may be joined by members of the Chepstow unit in a further search this weekend.

"We are going to resume operations on Saturday and Sunday and do a progressive search down the river," said Dave Walker, of the Upton unit.

"The police team did a full search around the English Bridge and down to the weir and we went as far as the A5 road bridge below Shrewsbury.

"We had 12 people and two boats out.

"We checked every tree root and branch and other obstructions along the edge of the river.

"This time we are going to have one team working south from Shrewsbury and the other working up towards Shrewsbury from Bewdley."