A VOLUNTARY search and rescue organisation that co-ordinates teams in the North-East has distanced itself from a new group formed to help people in difficulty.

In a statement issued last night, the North-East Search and Rescue Association (Nesra) said that "it is in no way associated with" the North-East Discovery Search and Rescue, (Nedsar) which was formed last October.

The group hit the headlines last week when its head, Chris Readings, was forced to quit after it emerged he turned up at a London bomb blast in 1999 wearing a paramedic-style uniform.

Nesra spokesman Chris Roberts said last night: "Nesra is firmly of the view, based on its experience over the past 30 years, that there is no operational requirement for a further search and rescue team in the North-East of England.

"Indeed, Nesra and its member teams are concerned that establishing a further search and rescue team without a proper investigation as to whether there is a need for another team or not, could positively dilute the existing service that has met the needs of the North-East so successfully for so long.

"Nesra is happy to reassure the people of the North-East that its volunteers remain as ready to respond today to any cry for search and rescue, in any conditions, as at any time in the past 30 years."

Nesra comprises seven of the region's search and rescue teams - Cleveland, North of Tyne, Northumberland National Park, Scarborough, Swaledale, Teesdale and Weardale, and the RAF Mountain Rescue Team.

Nedsar is made up of four-wheel drive enthusiasts who will take doctors and medical equipment to patients in bad weather or over difficult terrain.

The group's spokesman, Michael Kincaid, refuted the claims and said it provided a valuable service and had more expertise in covering difficult driving country.

He said: "I can't see how we would dilute the service that Nesra offer. We are not trying to take anything away from them as an organisation.

"As far as I know, there is no specific 4x4 vehicle rescue organisation.

"We have the equipment and we have the expertise, and can get professional people with supplies to injured people who are in places that are difficult to reach.

"We do not provide the same service as Nesra, but we would like to think we could work hand in hand with them."