A RIVER rescue service in Upton will be up and running in about three weeks, according to its organiser.

Training for members of the new unit of the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) is going well, said chairman Dave Walker.

But they are still looking for a portable building to be used at their base at Upton Marina.

Mr Walker said: "The trainees have now done three weekends of training. The first, down at Sharpness, was in some of the worst weather I've seen. You couldn't see the boat out there, just their heads.

"The second weekend, there was thick ice and fog and the third was clear but still very cold."

Mr Walker said the trainees, who have to pass a qualification to Royal Yachting Association instructor standards, were all extremely enthusiastic.

"They are great people and we hope to get going in about three weeks time," he said.

The SARA unit will complement existing emergency services and use the community rescue boat and its equipment.

The boat, bought using donations from townspeople, has until now been used by Upton fire crew, of which Mr Walker is a former member.

The unit will offer support during future floods. Its duties will include rescue missions, transporting people across the river and carrying sandbags.

Mr Walker's involvement with SARA follows his resignation from the fire service in December. In January, a committee of prominent townspeople was formed to set up the unit.

SARA has just been given a portable building as its headquarters by Worcester-based firm Laser Construction. Mr Walker said: "We're very grateful to Laser for this donation."