CARAVANS in Upton-upon- Severn could soon be floating their way out of trouble if flood water returns to the area.

Pool House Caravan Park was heavily hit by last year's freak weather conditions when 12 caravans were washed off the site and down the River Severn.

Now, the owners are fighting back with proposals to equip each static caravan with floatation devices that would cause them to rise up when floods strike.

The caravans would still be attached to the ground and would return to their bases when the floodwaters receded.

The Upton-upon-Severn site is currently only permitted to house temporary caravans between the months of March and October, but owners have submitted a planning application that would see it become the permanent home of static caravans.

Manufacturers of these floatation devices have seen a surge in demand since last year's flooding, with caravan park owners taking action to ensure their businesses will survive another incident. Marche Industries, based near Shrewsbury, supplies these devices all over the country and claim they can offer serious protection against rising water levels. Karen Bissell, from Marche Industries, said: "A cantilever or piston system enables the home to rise up and down on the flood water. Essentially it becomes a boat at anchor - capable of rising 11 feet high."