THREE new lock keepers have been appointed to guard the River Thames in Oxfordshire.
Osney Lock and Iffley Lock in Oxford as well as Radcot Lock near Faringdon will all have resident lock keepers in place in the next few weeks.
The appointments fill vacancies created by the recent retirements of Ray Riches at Osney, Iain Westwood at Iffley and Kevin Roberts at Radcot.
Mark Winks will take over at Osney, Aiden Mahon at Iffley and John O’Hara at Radcot.
Earlier this year the Environment Agency appealed for more volunteers but the three lock keepers all come from the existing team.
Osney lock keeper Ray Riches retired in the summer after more than a decade on the river and several awards for his bravery.
He was commended in his attempts to save a disabled man from drowning in January 2014.
Gabriel Stocks died after falling off the path on his scooter and Mr Riches was given a police bravery award after jumping into the freezing water after him and trying to revive him.
The father-of-two was also given a 'flood hero' diploma by then prime minister Gordon Brown for his work during the severe flooding in 2007.
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