KIDDERMINSTER river rescuers are set to take on a 42k challenge across the Shropshire Hills.

Volunteers from the Wyre Forest station of SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) have decided to enter the Shropshire Way 42K Mammothon to help raise funds for the water rescue and land search organisation which covers the River Severn from the old Severn Crossing at Chepstow to Shrewsbury.

The team, comprising Jo Parkes, Pauline Burton, Reg Pitts, Matt Massey, Steve Bradley, Marcus Bradley and James Sutherland, will be taking on the challenge on April 6 while carrying full search kit - and the trek, which they must complete within 12 hours, will take in Wenlock Edge, The Long Mynd and Wart Hill.

Team member James Sutherland said: "The nature of this event makes it an ideal opportunity to expand on the navigational skill set and fitness of the crew.

"It is not everyday that we have to carry our search kit quite so far, but it will be nice to know that we can.

"It is also great for the team to be actively involved with an event like this in our operational area."

SARA has three inshore lifeboat stations manned by volunteers who work alongside Gloucester, Gwent, West Midlands and West Mercia Police forces.

The organisation also has two inland water rescue stations and three mountain rescue land search teams plus flood rescue teams that can respond to flooding anywhere across the country.

Volunteers give up their free time to provide the service which is funded entirely by donations.

For more details about SARA go to www.sara-wyreforest.org.uk or to sponsor the team go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-sutherlandsara