A LAND rescue team has an extra vehicle in its fleet thanks to Severn Trent Water.

The company has donated one of its vehicles to the Upton-upon-Severn-based Mercia Rescue, giving the charity's capacity to respond to emergencies a real boost.

David Walker, station chairman at Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue, said: "We rely totally on voluntary funding and donations, so to be given a Land Rover is fabulous news. It means we now have extra resources available to carry out our vital search and rescue work in the Worcestershire area."

David went on to say that the Land Rovers they use are officially classed as ambulances and will carry stretchers and essential first aid equipment as well as the specialist 'line rescue' equipment needed for water rescue operations.

Gerald Pollard, Severn Trent's transport manager, added: "We're delighted to be able to support the charity in such a practical way and it's great that one of our Land Rovers is getting a new lease of life."

Mercia Rescue started in April this year after breaking off from the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

Its fleet before this donation consisted of one Land Rover and three 4-wheel drive cars.