YOUNGSTERS had a go at putting out fires when a fire station opened its doors.

The crew at St Mary's fire station invited the community to their base for a one day only event to see exactly how one of the city's busiest fire stations keeps residents safe.

With demonstrations and life-like rescues, the crew also opened the doors to their fire engines and showed children how to use one of their big hoses. And there were demonstrations with an aerial ladder as well as how crews battle domestic blazes with a chap pan demo.

Station commander Paul Parry said: "We do it every other year. It's a chance to open the doors to our local community so they can see what it's all about and give a bit of education and safety message to the people we serve."