FIREFIGHTERS in Pershore showcased their skills and some of their new equipment in an open day for the community.

Held on bank holiday Monday to coincide with Pershore Carnival, the fire station threw open its doors to the public with demonstrations, competitions and the chance to meet the firefighters.

Members of the Redditch branch of the Young Firefighters Association were showing off the skills they had learned over the last eight months along with demonstrations from the Worcester Community First Responders.

Watch Commander Justin Challenger, of Pershore fire station, said the day was a good way of showing people what they did and getting across their safety messages.

"We were trying to highlight the new large animal rescue equipment we carry, " he said. "We are only one of two stations in Hereford and Worcester that has it, us and Bromyard.

"We wanted to show local vets and farm owners and workers to highlight the equipment we carry. The day is ideal for children in their half term week. It was very busy. We were so fortunate with the weather for the day."

Watch Commander Challenger said they even had some interest from people who wanted to know more about being a retained firefighter.

"Lots of people still base it around wholetime firefighters or think a fire engine is always on call," he added. "Somebody has just received an application pack. Hopefully by attending the event we've been able to answer questions and he's gone away and processed the application.

"Hopefully we have a person that could be joining us in the future."