A volunteer-run organisation which saves the lives of people at risk on cliffs or in floods has been given a financial helping hand by a supermarket chain.

Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue (ASSAR) runs emergency operations across the district, and is staffed 365 days a year.

The group has been given £4,000 through Tesco’s Bags Of Help scheme, which donates money paid for carrier bags to community organisations around the country.

ASSAR will use the money to buy specialist cliff-face rescue kits to help its team rescue people from areas like Avon and Cheddar gorges.

Chairman Chris Thring said: “Thanks so much to Tesco and its customers. This grant helps us to continue our important work supporting the police with our specialist search and rescue skills.

“We’re all volunteers and rely entirely on the support of the communities we help to keep us going financially.”