A STATE-of-the-art rescue hovercraft could soon be plucking stranded people from mud flats after a local pub committed itself to raising £3,000.

The hi-tech £20,000 craft was bought in July 2001 after three years of fundraising but it needs a specially designed trailer before it goes into service.

The trailer will mean that in an emergency the rescue vessel can be unloaded quickly and its skirt is also less likely to be damaged in the process.

Landlord and landlady of the Park Hotel in Gosport, Ivan and Les Griffen, decided to raise £3,000 to buy the trailer after they unknowingly asked the chairman of the Gosport branch of Association of Search and Rescue Hovercraft if he knew of a worthy cause they could raise funds for.

Brian Russell was the man in question and his organisation will now work with the pub to arrange a raffle, raft race and a fun day.

Mr Russell said: "This is extremely good news. It means one of our problems has been met, once again by the people of Gosport. I have always found with the Gosport Rescue hovercraft, that locals respond generously to something that will bring benefits to the Gosport and surrounding areas."

It is hoped that the money will be in place by the end of this year and the crew should have also completed their training by then.

Currently rescuers either strap wooden slats called plattens to their feet to walk out on to mudflats or they use inflatable mud paths which are prone to being blown by strong winds.

The hovercraft will provide a safe and stable platform to conduct rescues without the possibility of the rescuer also becoming trapped in the mud and the craft will be able to carry more equipment to the scene.