ALTHOUGH South Somerset is landlocked, that didn’t stop council staff getting up to their waists in water recently.

South Somerset District Council’s countryside and Streetscene staff had two days of ‘Working in Water’ training delivered by the Royal Life Saving Society.

The training involved some theory but was mainly practical with staff putting on their waders and life jackets and getting into the waters of Ninesprings and Sutton Bingham Reservoir.

South Somerset District Council looks after many areas of water including Chard Reservoir, Yeovil Country Park, ditches and other water courses.

Councillor Jo Roundell Greene, portfolio holder for Streetscene services, said: “Ensuring the safety of our staff in and around water is a high priority for the District Council.

"This training will help them to feel more confident in difficult situations, such as delivering sandbags in floods. For the countryside team who manage Yeovil Country Park and Chard Reservoir, this training is really important.

"The knowledge gained from the course will ensure that they can help members of the public should they get into tricky situations at the sites.”

Cliff Nelson, head of water safety management at the Royal Life Saving Society, said: “Following on from the extensive flooding in the Somerset area, South Somerset District Council has taken a very positive step forward in providing the best training for their officers.”