SARA was called to help after a boat from Upton lost engine power and began to drift down the River Severn.

The cruiser and its crew set off from the town's marina at about 2pm on Sunday. They got into trouble 30 minutes later when the engine broke down. A strong current and gusty winds dragged the boat towards Tewkesbury.

Two rescue boats from the Upton SARA station attended after being alerted by Steve Arber, of Upton Marina. They towed the cruiser, bought just three days earlier, back to the marina.

SARA station commander Dave Walker said: "In those weather conditions it wouldn't have been the most exhilarating welcome to boating.

SARA has also been helping West Mercia Police with their search for a missing man. Over the last two months, crews have carried out three searches of the River Severn and have dragged Worcestershire's canal network.