FIREFIGHTERS lives were put at risk by flood victims who failed to heed early warnings to evacuate.

Firefighters and Environment Agency representatives have hit out at some residents in the worst affected areas of Bewdley who left it until the last minute to call for help.

The criticism came as Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade prepared to discuss lessons learned from the latest floods and whether fire firgters need more training in water rescue..

Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade water-rescue officer Ian Taylor said a review of the effects of the latest floods may also highlight the need for more specialist equipment.

Kidderminster fire union chief Reg Moule said the question of special training for retained firefighters would be raised in "de-briefing" sessions.

Firefighters rescued around 40 stranded residents of Severnside North, Severnside South and other Bewdley riverside streets as the waters swamped roads twice in two weeks.

Some worked in exhausting conditions for more than 12 hours at a stretch as the floods entered homes and left people marooned in upstairs rooms.

There were 110 evacuations in Bewdley and Stourport.

Bewdley station sub-officer John Das-Gupta said firefighters worked overtime this week pumping out water from cellars. The flood work was the most challenging his colleagues could remember.

Rescues were "hazardous" and "risky to firefighters' safety" as the flow of the swollen river accelerated to up to 25 mph.

He said rescuers in waist-high waders, pulling rescue boats, had to tread carefully in the water because of the danger of fast currents and lifted manhole covers.

"They worked tirelessly and our procedures reduced risks to acceptable levels but there is no doubt sometimes they were put in considerable danger when residents had a late change of mind over evacuation. There was no excuse for this because Environment Agency warnings were accurate and given well in advance."

Stourport station sub-officer Pip Potter, who with firefighter Chalky White helped with 22 rescues in an exhausting 9.30am to 10pm stint, described conditions especially near Lax Lane as "dangerous".

He said: "Some residents left it far too late. Water was coming up to our armpits and there were currents nearby that could have swept us away.

"I don't think people realised. One asked us to hang on while he packed a suitcase."