Members of two county lifeboat crews have taken part in an intensive course learning new skills to form the Cumbria Community Flood Team - the first RNLI community-based flood team in the UK.

Helmsman Mark Ware and crewman Andrew Stanley from the Silloth RNLI lifeboat, along with members of St Bees RNLI lifeboat crew, took part in the five day course.

It was held on the River Awe, near Oban in Scotland.

The crew were taught the necessary skills to enable them to assist the local Cumbrian communities when the next flood occurs.

During the floods of 2005 and 2015, volunteers from the RNLI’s Flood Rescue Team worked through the night in Cumbria to help people trapped in their homes by floodwater.

Sue Kent, volunteer lifeboat press officer with Silloth RNLI, said: "We send our congratulations to everyone on the course for passing and becoming flood water rescue technicians.

"Steve Wright, a helmsman at Silloth RNLI, is on the national flood team as well as the local one.

"It’s good to be prepared. It’s not a case of 'if another flood happens' but 'when'.

"At least the crew are trained to deal with a flood and can help in the event of an emergency."

Workington RNLI are also involved in the national and local flood teams.