FLOOD and swift water rescue teams in North Yorkshire are to receive more than £76,000 to help them buy life-saving equipment.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which is giving out the grant, said it was important that in the event of a large-scale flood it could call upon manpower and equipment from a wide range of services.

The £76,861 being handed out to North Yorkshire will be used to buy an emergency vehicle and to organise training for water rescue teams.

Dave McCabe, head of policy and protection at the fire service, said: “This grant will help us further enhance our response to flooding and water-related incidents both locally and nationally.

“It will also ensure we continue to provide the best possible training and equipment for our staff and the best possible service to the communities of the City of York and North Yorkshire.”

There are 16 local organisations involved in flood rescue activities which will share grants amounting to £823,720.

All the equipment bought with the Defra funding will be added to the National Asset Register of flood rescue resources that emergency services across the country can call upon in the event of a major flood.