Basildon fire crews have never had so many calls - but thankfully not to battle with blazes.
This time the calls were from motorists who popped into the station to get their cars gleaming again. Off-duty firefighters obliged with cheery smiles and a touch of elbow grease.
It was all in the name of charity and is a chore taken on by the Basildon crews every year, with help from local car firms.
Last year more than £3,000 was raised. This year looks close to that target.
The money will boost a benevolent fund for firefighters receiving convalescence after illness.
Elbow grease - Jeff Thomas and Jeremy Tuckwell get cleaning, helped by firemen's sons Darren Boxer-Thomas, 13, and Chris Mansfield, 11
Picture: LUAN MARSHALL
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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