THREE firefighters have been praised for their bravery after they rescued a man from a reservoir.

The man, believed to be from the Mickleton area, was airlifted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital suffering from severe hypothermia following the rescue on Monday.

Chipping Campden's crew of six rushed to a site on Cannon Lane in Mickleton after being told that a man was clinging to a branch overhanging the water.

When they arrived members of the crew plunged into the water to reach the man but were unable to get to him due to hidden obstacles under the water.

Meanwhile a rescue boat was on its way from Cheltenham, a second crew had been despatched from Gloucester and a hydraulic platform being brought from Leamington Spa. Leading firefighter Andrew Hillsdon said that his team managed to deal with the emergency before back-up arrived.

After being pulled from the water the man was airlifted from the scene by the County Air Ambulance. Mr Hillsdon said he was recommending that firefighters Paul Bennett, David Cook and Gregory Smith receive awards for bravery.

The rescued man has not yet been identified. Apart from suffering from hypothermia he had no other injuries and is believed to be making a full recovery.