A NEW branch of the Severn Area Rescue Association could soon be set up in Wyre Forest following the success of a similar unit in Upton-upon-Severn.

Leading the project is Alan Stanley, former commodore of Stourport Cruising Club, who has been a fund-raiser for SARA since 1994 and helped raise money to get the Upton unit off the ground.

He and his wife Andrea had previously started the Friends of SARA, to support the work of rescue stations at Sharpness and Chepstow in the Severn estuary.

"I have seen Upton progress from a local community self-help group born out of last winter's floods into a full blue light water rescue service," said Mr Stanley.

"Now I think we could do the same sort of thing for Wyre Forest, covering Stourport and Bewdley."

The Upton unit has averaged one call-out a week since it went "live" in July, being mobilised by the police to help in all kinds of water-based rescues, most recently retrieving a car from the river at Ironbridge.

"We have done a lot of water safety training with Kidderminster ambulance people and several of the paramedics are interested in joining SARA," said Dave Walker, of the Upton unit.

"We are now able to train people to Royal Yachting Association standards and Alan has already started his training here.

"He is well respected in the boating community and I can see SARA Wyre Forest becoming operational in about four months."

Mr Stanley, who owns a 26ft cabin cruiser, said he grew up beside the River Severn at Bewdley and the river had always been part of his life.

Anyone interested in supporting SARA Wyre Forest should call him on 01562 861619.