Ref. 28821-11Firefighters, paramedics and police officers descended on the Buffer Bear nursery at Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

The scene may have looked like something from a disaster movie but in fact it was a day of celebration.

The nursery held a special event to mark its first birthday and invited emergency crews along to help them celebrate.

About 34 children between the ages of three months and five years enjoyed party games, birthday cake and a look inside ambulances and fire engines.

Cameron Guinness, four, of Chiseldon, has attended the nursery since its first day. He said he enjoyed the birthday party.

He said: "I like the big, blue flashing lights on the ambulance. My favourite colour is blue.

"I went up inside the ambulance and sat on a stretcher. I like firemen best."

His friend Daisy Cartledge, four, of Marlborough, said: "We were allowed to touch the buttons in the ambulance. It made the lights flash and we heard the sirens. They were very loud."

Nursery manager Tracy Field explained: "The main reason for inviting the emergency services was to show the children there is nothing to be afraid of.

"The emergency crews chatted to them and invited them to have a look round the ambulance and fire engine. It was interesting for the children to see it all in the flesh rather than just reading about it in books.

"We had a birthday cake in the shape of an ambulance and had party games too."

The nursery offers subsidised places to children whose parents work at the hospital, but also has spaces for other children.

For more information call Buffer Bear nursery on 01793 605861.