THREE crewmen are being trained to man a new "satellite" River Severn rescue service for Wyre Forest.

They are the first to be trained by the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and will operate out of Upton-upon-Severn until a base can be found.

SARA executive secretary Andrea Stanley said: "We are keeping a look-out for a building which could house a rescue boat of four or five metres in length on a trailer and a Land Rover."

The satellite station will cover Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport and as far north as Shrewsbury and south to Worcester.

Mrs Stanley, of Hoo Road, Kidderminster, said the base had to have easy access to all the area.

The service is a registered charity and a spokesman said it is hoping a building will either be donated or offered at low rent.

More volunteers are needed either as operational boat crew members, fund-raisers or support crew.

The association is run by volunteers and provides an emergency callout facility 24 hours a day every day of the year.

Anyone interested should contact the newly re-elected executive chairman Alan Stanley on 0870 060 2001 or visit SARA's website at: www.sara-rescue.org.uk