MEMBERS of Wiltshire's Search and Rescue Team have been put through their paces in a five-hour training mission.

The 18 members met near Burderop Park on Sunday before embarking on an exercise to find two missing 12-year-old children.

They broke up into groups of three and four, with some on bikes, while others walked.

"It is their job to find and then access them," said team manager Steve Upton.

"Our search differs to that of the police.

"They spend longer searching one place, while we would search the same place quicker but on three different occasions.

"It is very much a manual process.

"The exercise is all about practising our processes with a focus on first aid."

The group's van gives the search controller a base to work from and he communicates instructions to his team via radio.

A blue tent next to the vehicle contains canoes and water supplies.

Each searcher carries a map of the area and works from the last sighting of the missing person.

If this changes the focus of the hunt alters to accommodate new information, such as the discovery of clothing or footprints.

It is generally understood young missing girls tend to go to their friends, while most boys walk the streets. But every search starts with a missing person. If that changes and a body is discovered police investigators take over.

In rescue missions where there is a large area to cover a police helicopter and sniffer dogs are used.

"Usually the hardest people to find are the dementia patients," said Steve. "They don't call out for help which makes things very difficult for us.

"We have been called to the Great Western Hospital before in these circumstances."

The team takes part in similar practice sessions every six weeks.

Wiltshire Search and Rescue meets all over the county, but usually in Devizes as it is a central location.

The team is recruiting and would be interested in anyone from Swindon as there is a lack of members from this part of the county.

For details call 07932 698272 or visit at www.wilsar.org.uk.