MAJOR changes have been launched by the Upton branch of Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), which has taken a new name and will restructure its operation.

It will be known in future as Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue (MISAR) and, while continuing to operate from its base at Upton Marina, will take on many new responsibilities.

The volunteer team will develop as a specialist water rescue line team, providing a more effective flood rescue operation. In addition, a new dive team will be created.

A total of 12 divers, former members of Malvern's QinetiQ dive team, will be based at the rescue station.

The changes are designed to ensure the rescue service complies with new national guidelines from the UK Search and Rescue (SAR) Network.

Station chairman Dave Walker said it was a time of massive change.

"There are big things going on generally in UK search and rescue and we've been trying to develop in particular to meet serious flooding problems," he said.

"It's going to be quite a hefty operation altogether."

There are currently 30 volunteers based at Upton and Mr Walker said they would be taking on more people to cope with the changes.

MISAR will cover the Severn Valley from Gloucester up as far as Shrewsbury and into the adjoining Wye and Avon valleys.

Meanwhile, Severn Area Rescue will continue to concentrate on the lower tidal estuary areas from its two bases at Sharpness and Chepstow.