CREWE firefighters celebrated the Macon Way station's 40th year in the town with an open day at the weekend.

The day featured fire engine rides, a bouncy castle, a funfair and miniature train rides to keep the youngsters happy, with singing and dancing by members of Cheshire Pride.

A 'beat the goalie' shootout gave youngsters a chance to show off their football skills, with five-year-old Matthew Smith winning himself a Crewe Alexandra signed shirt as the overall champion.

The top of the fire station tower was used as a launching pad for teddy bears to be parachuted into the drill yard, while stalls and fire service memorabilia were also on display.

Crowds were given a demonstration of how firefighters would tackle a road traffic collision.

Firefighter Gareth Roberts said: "With the weather being so good we had hundreds of people attending the event and over £1,000 was raised on the day for the Fire Service Benevolent Fund, the Climb charity and the Fire Cadets."

Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Maurice and Ann Jones attended the event, along with Norman Turner who was the fire station commander when it opened in 1966, after a move from Beech Street.

Norman presented a certificate to schoolgirl Megan Birkett, who together with Owen Beddow, recently won a fire safety competition.