Picture Ref: 77225-13CREWS from Westlea Fire Station gave youngsters a chance to climb about in their fire engines.

The firefighters were at the Designer Outlet village, where they also gave public demonstrations on fire safety.

Leading fireman Tim Elliott said: "It was great. We were helping people to learn a bit of fire safety, especially with regard to kitchen fires and cooker and chip-pan fires.

"And it was a good chance to get out and talk to the public.

"People were very friendly and it was a good, informal setting."

Mr Elliott said working as a firefighter in Swindon was in complete contrast to problems experienced elsewhere in the country.

A recent report by the Fire Brigades Union claimed crews were regularly attacked and ambushed by yobs when attending incidents.

He said: "Recently there has been a lot in the press about attacks on firefighters.

"But we don't suffer from that in Wiltshire.

"We find that if we get out and about and talk to people it alleviates that problem.

"Kids could come out and jump all over the engines and have a great time and we enjoyed it too, having a chance to chat.

"In depressed areas where there are problems with young people drinking and taking drugs they can see anyone with a uniform as authority.

"But we are just here to help people whenever we can."