TEAMS of firefighters will raise a few temperatures at Debenhams in Worcester when they get sweaty for a charity challenge.

The 999 Challenge, to discover Britain's fittest firefighters, will see a team of six from the city compete in a triathlon in the High Street store on Wednesday for nine hours, nine minutes and nine seconds.

At the same time, colleagues in Birmingham, Coventry, Redditch and Stratford will compete at their respective stores.

The events will begin at 9am and finish at 6:09pm. The teams may switch rowing, cycling and running machines as often as they wish, but the machines must be kept running at

all times.

The firefighters will be taking part to raise funds for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund (FSNBF), which supports injured firefighters.

Emma Aldridge, the manager at Debenhams in Worcester, said: "We are delighted to support such a worthwhile charity in such an original way.

"I would ask that everyone comes down to support the firefighter team in store and injured firefighters nationwide by buying a prize draw ticket or the great firefighter charity merchandise we have on sale in store.

"At the Worcester store, we will be supporting our team to win the fitness title, although we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the most important issue is that the FSNBF will raise much needed funds for their vital work of rehabilitating injured firefighters."

A spokesman for Worcester fire brigade said: "At the FSNBF, we support heroes on a daily basis and we see what happens when the worst happens.

"Debenhams' support will assist these brave men and women through their recovery, so they can get back to their fitness and back to the most important challenge imaginable - saving lives."