AN HEROIC police worker rescued an 11-year-old boy when he got into trouble after playing in the River Usk.

The drama unfolded at about 1.45pm on Sunday at the stretch of the river which runs behind the police station in Usk.

Luckily, local police community support officer Phil Barclay was on hand and managed to rescue the boy, uninjured, from the river.

PCSO Barclay and his colleague PCSO Darren Grady were at the Usk Open Gardens show when they got the call that the youngster was in trouble.

PCSO Barclay said: "I ran to the one side of the river and PCSO Grady ran to the other.

"When I got there I saw two youngsters trying to get out of the river. The current had pulled one under and the other had gone in to help.

"I got into the water and helped to pull them out.

"I dread to think what would have happened if they couldn't have got out of the river."

Now police are urging local youngsters to be aware of the dangers of playing in and near the river, which runs through the town centre.

Officers say that because of the recent hot weather, as many as 100 youngsters at one time can be found playing or paddling in the river.

Youngsters have also been seen jumping off the bridge, which is 60 feet high, into the water.

There have also been reports of children messing around with the three lifebouys that are fastened to the side of the river between Usk Island and the bridge.

PCSO Barclay added: "Although the water is quite shallow, the current is strong and when youngsters can see fishermen in the water with the water up to their knees, they think it's safe to go in when its not.

"Also, jumping from such a high bridge into such shallow water could cause a serious injury.

"Playing in and near the water with such disregard for safety is foolish."