Two men were pulled from a river after one fell trying to rescue his friend.

Emergency crews found them almost up to their waists in the River Stour.

The men, believed to be in their 30s, struggled to climb out because of the steep river bank near the Lock Inn pub in Wolverley, near Kidderminster, after 9 last night.

A paramedic lowered an ambulance spine board into the water so the crew could pull them out last night.

Both were treated for exposure to cold water and one, who had been in the water for about 20 minutes, was taken to hospital for further assessment.

Villagers said those rescued were among a group who had been at the Queen’s Head pub, Wolverley village, earlier and it is believed they were making their way to the Lock Inn when one slipped in. Firefighters were also called.