AN EMERGENCY service which rescued residents from their homes during this year’s floods is calling visitors to this weekend's Marlow Carnival to sign up to a workshop to help protect themselves and their families as winter approaches.

Bucks Search and Rescue (BSR) is holding a ‘Water Awareness Workshop’ at this weekend’s carnival in Higginson Park, which disappeared underwater when the Thames burst its banks in February.

BSR members were some of the first boots on the ground when crisis threatened, protecting Marlovians and their homes as well as carrying out a dramatic rescue from a flooded home.

And during a two-hour workshop by the river, recruits will cover river features, rescue techniques, equipment, improvised equipment and self-rescue.

All profits will go to Bucks Search & Rescue and will help purchase much needed water safety equipment for the team to continue assisting the emergency services in times of need.

Organised by Marlow Community Association, the carnival returns on Saturday, with the grand opening at 11am.

Committee member Peter Donegan said: "It's a great event, given a bit of sunshine it is usually heaving. It's a real community event, lots of families come down, and we always have very good feedback."

A host of Marlow clubs and societies are represented, as well as attractions including a barbeque, stalls, live music and dancing shows, children’s rides, classic cars, pony rides and a bar provided by the Duke of Cambridge.

Community radio station Marlow FM will be broadcasting live from the park, entertaining guests with music and chat.