Youngsters had the chance to get a close look at firefighters in action during a special behind-the-scenes day.

Crews cut open cars and tackled flames in a series of displays at Colchester Fire Station in Cowdray Avenue.

Visitors were able to look inside fire engines and test their skills with the fire hose.

Leading firefighter Trevor Hearn said: "It was excellent; we had a really good response.

"We had a bit of a shaky start as the first watch spent the early part of the morning dealing with a fire near the old Severalls hospital."