FEARS were growing late last night for a 21-year-old woman believed to have been swept away by a river swollen by recent storms.

The woman went into the River Usk, near Watergate Bridge, Brecon, at 7pm on Saturday night, and yesterday police, fire brigade and mountain rescue teams searched a mile- long stretch of fast-flowing water.

Inspector Alun Samuel, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “We are running a full search of the river in Brecon.

“A member of public called the police when they saw what happened.

“It is a very serious search with dog handlers, specialist units and helicopters.”

A full search was conducted on Saturday night, but was suspended due to weather conditions, police said. It resumed yesterday with rescue teams searching the river and the riverbank on foot and in kayaks. Inspector Mark Davies, who is in charge of the search, said: “We are investigating the full circumstances of why the female was in the river, and are concentrating all efforts on trying to find her.”

A statement from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the search was concentrating on a mile-long stretch of the river and police were talking to a male witness.

“We have sent patrol units, two pumping appliances and two fire service rescue boats,” it said.

The river was too swollen for the boats to be used initially, it added.

There are three flood warnings on rivers across Wales and 18 flood watches, according to the Environment Agency website.