local members of a new drainage board have been named this week.

The Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board has just been formed, taking over a large number of smaller bodies.

Among these was the Longdon and Eldersfield Drainage Board, which had been in existence for around 140 years.

Michael Barnes, chairman of the old board, has been appointed vice-chairman of the new board. Other local members are Julia Wildin, Malvern Hills District Council's Longdon representative, and Timothy Smith, former vice-chairman of the old board.

The new board has responsibility for the drainage of low-lying areas around the River Severn as far south as Avonmouth, near Bristol. Locally, it covers the Longdon area and the River Leadon as far upstream as Bosbury.

Mr Barnes said: "A number of smaller boards have been merged, mainly to keep administrative costs down and because of EU regulations."