Firefighters will get a sparkling makeover when their traditional navy uniforms are replaced with gold outfits.

As well as making officers stand out in the midst of flames, the lightweight metallic material deflects heat.

But firefighters in West Sussex will have to wait until Christmas before the force takes delivery of the stylish new ensembles, which feature gold knee pads and motorbike-style crash helmets.

Until then, they have been told they will have to get by with hand-me-downs due to a shortage of navy kits.

Crews have been asked to give up spare trousers and jackets for new recruits so as not to waste money on the soon-to-be redundant navy clothing.

Between 60 and 70 officers at bases including Chichester, Worthing, Horsham and Crawley have donated their spares.

The old kits will be cleaned and safety-tested before being brought back into use.

Richard Bond, senior officer and project manager, said: "Our new uniforms will be provided in December.

"In the meantime we need people to be protected and we don't want to spend money on uniforms that will be wasted.

"We want to make the best of our finances and keep people protected.

"We are restricting the numbers of firefighting kits our officers have. It will not put them in a dangerous position.

"If someone is short of a uniform, they will not go to an incident.

"We are just managing resources that are scarce and asking for spare uniforms back.

"We do have a stock at our stores in Tangmere but when they run out new members will have to wear old kits.

"We usually spend £100,000 a year on firefighting clothes.

"Quite clearly we want to spend as little as possible because the existing uniform will be done away with at the end of the year.

"Our new gold uniforms have been chosen because they are many, many times more protective than the kits we have now."

Each new uniform will be individually barcoded to enable Ballyclare, the company which makes them, to clean, check and keep track of them.

Mr Bond said: "We feel the small inconvenience people are having to go through will be worth it."

A spokesman for Kent Fire Service said: "The reason for the gold colour is that it is the most protective material on the market. It deflects heat away unlike dark colours.

"Firefighters will be more visible and tears and scorches will show up better.

"I don't know what our crews think about it yet but I'm sure they'll just get on with the job."