A NEW-style rescue boat is due to be launched on the River Severn after a demonstration craft was loaned to a Worcestershire rescue team.

The boat is easy to handle in fast flowing water and has a blunt prow which can be drawn up close to flooded buildings, providing an instant rescue ramp.

A demonstration model has been supplied to the Upton-upon-Severn unit of the Severn Area Rescue Association on long-term loan from the distributors, BCA Safety Systems of Upton Warren, near Droitwich.

The boat was spotted by SARA members who went to an Inland Water Safety and Rescue conference and exhibition at the National Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.

"It's the first specialist, commercially-approved rescue craft in the UK and it's virtually indestructible," said unit chairman Dave Walker.

"The first three went to Spartan Rescue, which is a commercially-run rescue service based at Northampton and we were able to take one of their boats out and put it through its paces.

"It's much safer than using an inflatable boat, which can get snagged by submerged objects in flood water and put the rescue crew in danger. It's smaller and lighter than our aluminium boats, which we'll use as support craft."

The SARA unit plans to install a 40hp marine engine in the new boat, which is made of strong plastic tubing resistant to fire, chemicals and sharp objects. It can carry up to 10 people and will take a full-size stretcher.

Martin Dutton, partner in BCA Safety Systems, said the boat would normally cost £3,750 but the company was pleased to lend the demonstration model to SARA, as it is a charity.

He said he could envisage the day when there would be many of them being used as working boats on the Severn, but also available as an extra resource at times of flood.

"They're very tough and stable and provide a solid working platform. We've had six people standing on the edge and it didn't even come close to tipping over," he said.