New inland rescue boat launched by Norfolk Fire Service

A new inland water rescue boat operated by the fire service is to be launched this week in Norfolk.

The £30,000 Pioner boat will be based at Dereham in the centre of the county.

The boat will be crewed by the urban search and rescue team, funded by central government and will be a key part of the specialist unit.

Assistant chief fire officer Roy Harold said a review of the county's water rescue capability identified a need for a new boat.

"The review took into account the increasing risk of flooding and incorporated lessons learned during the east coast tidal surge in November 2007 and the national Pitt Review," he said.

"The new boat will give us more flexibility and extra, specialist capacity in the county."