War relic aids flood-hit county

Mr Lewis bought his amphibious vehicle when it was decommissioned

A States politician has travelled from Jersey to help with flood relief efforts in the UK.

St Saviour deputy Kevin Lewis is taking a giant amphibious vehicle to Gloucestershire.

The six-wheel drive Alvis Stalwart was bought by Mr Lewis at the end of the cold war when it was decommissioned.

The ex-British military vehicle was designed to carry ammunitions and fuel across Europe in any conditions and on any terrain.

The Stalwart, which was built in 1968, has a winch on its roof, a crane at the rear and can travel through water at about eight knots.

Some men have a midlife crisis and buy a Porsche - I bought an Alvis Stalwart Kevin Lewis

It was transported from Jersey to the mainland free of charge by Condor Ferries, then transferred to a low-loader and taken by road from Portsmouth to Cheltenham racecourse. From there it will be deployed wherever it is needed.

Mr Lewis said it may be unusual to own the Stalwart, but he has been "fascinated" by amphibious vehicles since he was a boy.

"Some men have a midlife crisis and buy a Porsche - I bought an Alvis Stalwart," he told BBC News.

He is unsure how long the vehicle may be needed by the emergency services.

Duties covered

"I'll be here for a while, but I don't know how long," he said.

"You see these awful pictures on the television and your heart goes out to the people.

"Things may be getting slightly better, but they're not out of the woods yet."

The government is currently in recess and States colleagues are covering his duties in St Saviour.