A "DRUNKEN fool" who stripped down to his boxer shorts and tried to swim across the freezing River Severn in Worcester had to be rescued by firefighters today.

They were called out at 1am and found a young man clinging for life to driftwood near the arches of Worcester Bridge.

He had jumped into the river near the Severn View Hotel and had managed to swim around five yards before extreme undercurrents swept him rapidly downstream.

Two Worcester fire crews had to run down the slippery steps and launch the brigade's inflatable boat as the man desperately held on to the driftwood.

Pranks

White Watch firefighters Andy Nash and Pug Mulloy paddled downstream and hauled the man, who is believed to be a student, into the boat.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade, said he was "extremely concerned" about such pranks.

"It's not the first time we've been called out to an event like this.

"We believe this idiotic individual may have been rescued before when he attempted to swim across the river," he said.

"Drunken fools are leaving clubs late at night and, in recent weeks, a few people have attempted this stunt.

"They're putting their lives and our firefighters' lives at risk through this extremely foolish prank.

"If a serious fire occurred at the same time, our crews would be severely delayed and this could cost someone's life."