Somerset has been chosen to pioneer a new drones project aimed at transforming disaster response and environmental protection.

Somerset Council has secured £191,370 from Innovate UK's Future Flight Regional Demonstration Fund for Project RESCUE, which will explore how drones can be deployed to monitor environmental emergencies.

The "eyes in the skies" can be launched quickly, reach inaccessible areas and deliver real-time footage to help emergency teams on the ground.

The council is working with two business partners: Somerset-based Land & Minerals Consulting Ltd, who are collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority on beyond-visual-line-of-sight flying, and Limosaero, an aviation start-up developing solar-powered fixed-wing drones for long-distance flights.

The Resilience and Emergency Services Coordination Using Enabled-drones (RESCUE) project will also involve emergency services, resilience teams, Government agencies and drone operators. The aim is to build a business case for the use of drones during flooding and other environmental crises.

Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset Council's lead member for the economy, planning and assets, said: "The potential for drones is exciting and shows that Somerset is at the forefront of imaginative and innovative solutions to real problems that affect our communities. I am delighted that Innovate UK is showing faith in our county through this funding."

He pointed to the devastation of the 2013–14 Somerset floods, which left communities marooned, homes under water and farmland swamped, with economic losses of up to £147.5m. "Project RESCUE will develop a business case for the use of drones to collect data and intelligence during environmental emergencies in Somerset," he added.

Aviation minister Keir Mather said: "We're backing the next generation of British aviation businesses whose transformative technologies will reshape how we live and work in the years to come. Investing in emerging technologies like drones and unmanned aircraft is key to build a greener and more efficient transport system. But this isn't just good news for the environment – this tech will also save our public sector and businesses valuable time and cash, whilst helping to boost skills and support high quality jobs across the country."

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