Youngsters at a Stourport school have been learning about water safety from two rescue charities following the floods which claimed the life of a much-loved family member of one of the pupils.

Many of the families of children at St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School were hit by the floods but none more so than that of seven-year-old pupil Alexander Mattinson whose grandad’s partner, Yvonne Booth, was swept away when her car became stuck in Tenbury last month.

Pupils looked at the work of West Mercia Search and Rescue and the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and designed posters promoting water safety.

Acting headteacher Ian James said: “Some pupils will also be completing the West Mercia Search and Rescue water safety course which covers drowning, where and how they occur, hazards in water and the powerful effect of water generally including rivers, lakes and ponds.

“It’s vital for our children growing up in a town with such a large river and canal flowing through it that they understand the dangers of water and how to stay safe.

“Alexander’s grandad has also offered to come and talk to our children about his experience at a later date, which is incredibly brave and thoughtful of him.”