Millions of viewers watched rival fire stations on Television's London's Burning battle it out to see whose station had the best flower display.

The recent storyline has inspired firefighters in a retained station in Sussex to try to emulate their fictitious colleagues from Blue Watch.

In between fighting fires and saving lives, part-time firefighters at Herstmonceux Fire Station are swapping hoses for watering cans.

The crew are using their spare time in between calls to make their station arguably the most picturesque in the country.

Viewers of London's Burning would have seen a similar idea used on one of the show's more comical storylines several weeks ago.

The blaze of colour at Herstmonceux has demanded almost as much attention from the service's ten retained crew as one of their many calls out.

Leading firefighter Brendan Hobden and his colleague Neil Post are the brains behind the display, although the whole station has lent a hand.

The station now boasts 22 hanging baskets as well as colourful flower beds and window boxes.

Sub Officer John Message said: "It's given the place a really nice look. People have been driving past and stopping to take a closer look because they're so impressed by it.

"This is the first time we have ever done this. It was the idea of a couple of the lads who, I think, got the idea off the telly.

"As far as I know there isn't another fire station who have done the same but others might follow suit."

The station is now vying for top honours in the annual Herstmonceux in Bloom competition, contested by shops and pubs in the picturesque village. Judging takes place later this summer.

In the meantime, the crew are busy weeding and watering in a bid to keep their gardens in tip-top condition.

Mr Message said: "We're all lending a hand with the watering and other jobs, but we're not using the hose to water the flowers as people might think!"

The display has cost hundreds of pounds which has all come from the crew's own pockets.

Their bosses have also taken notice and plan to feature the station in a newsletter to all stations across the country.

Deputy chief fire officer Desmond Pritchard said: "I've worked in a number of stations and I've never seen anything like it.

"I understand they got the idea off London's Burning but I think Herstmonceux has shown anything London's Burning can do, they can do better."

Mr Pritchard said he would not be surprised if other stations attempted to better the village station but added that he would not be encouraging a widespread competition.

He said: "Hertsmonceux Fire Station is seen as part of the local community and we encourage that.

"What they have done has helped that effort and we would always hope stations carry out their own initiatives."