WASHING cars made a change from fighting fires for crews from four Swindon fire stations.

Firefighters from across the town joined Westlea’s two watches for the charity car wash in aid of the Jessie May Children’s Hospice and the Fire Fighters Charity.

While their parents were getting the family car hosed down, children were able to have a look round the fire engines.

Matty Maggs, station manager, said: “It’s still a young child’s dream to become a firefighter. Our guys and girls love showing them around.”

Jessie May fundraising officer Debbie Clark said the money raised from the car wash would prove invaluable to the charity: “It will go to supporting local Swindon and Wiltshire families. We will be able to provide respite services for families, meaning they will be able to leave the house.” The charity will also use the cash to pay for trips away for terminally ill children and their families or buy memory bears, teddy bears that have a pocket sewn into their back and used to store pictures or other memories of their child.

Debbie said she expected a busy day, with more than a dozen cars already lined up by 10.45am - half an hour after opening.

The car wash was sponsored by the Fish Brothers Peugeot dealership, which provided soaps and brushes for the day.