THE Charity Commission has confirmed it is looking into complaints made about the management and administration of the Upton-upon-Severn unit of the Severn Area Rescue Association.

The Commission, which regulates charities, confirmed yesterday (Thursday) it has received two written complaints about the unit and has passed them to its investigations department.

The complaints will be examined by an evaluation officer, who will decide whether there is cause for concern. A decision is expected within 15 days.

Three members of the Upton unit of SARA this week all said they had sent letters of complaint to the Commission after an annual general meeting of the whole SARA organisation on Sunday.

Andrew Kibble, Grahame Bunn and Duncan Williams all say they were denied entry to the AGM at Sharpness Dockers Club, Gloucestershire.

They say they have been suspended from the Upton branch after raising concerns over health and safety issues with West Mercia Police Authority.

In a statement issued yesterday, the new chairman of SARA, Alan Stanley, promised that any complaints about the AGM would be investigated.

He said the room hosting the meeting had become overcrowded and due to fire and safety regulations not all members of the public were admitted.

Priority was, he said, given to members "in good standing" and official guests of the Association.

"So far as the Association is aware no member in good standing was refused admission," he said.

There were no complaints after the AGM nor has there been contact with the Commission, he added.

Mr Stanley confirmed Mr Williams, Mr Bunn and Mr Kibble, a probationer with Upton SARA, were suspended but said the Association would not normally discuss in public the reasons why.

He added that the Upton unit had met with West Mercia Constabulary to identify ways in which its health and safety systems could be improved and to "clarify the police's views about various operational issues".

A West Mercia force spokesman said: "A meeting has been held with the station chairman of SARA at Upton-upon-Severn to discuss a number of safety issues and identify areas where improvements may be required. The process is ongoing."