HEREFORD and Worcester Fire Brigade has received a record number of calls since the flood crisis began earlier this week.

Between midnight on Sunday, and 3.30pm on Thursday, the brigade took 413 calls.

Firefighters from across the region have rescued around 100 people from the rising water levels.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for the fire brigade, said that between 12.25am and 9.15pm on Thursday, 67 special emergency calls were taken relating to the flooding.

"It has been extremely busy but our crews have continued to cope well," he said. "The watches turn up for their 12-hour shifts and are poised to deal with whatever happens.

"On top of all the flooding calls, the firefighters are also dealing with fires and road traffic accidents as normal.

"Despite the control room crews taking a record amount of calls, they have coped remarkably well.

"It's quite amazing how they manage to stay so calm and collected under such pressure. They've dealt with an unbelievable amount of calls but they've still managed to mobilise units really quickly."