Children in reception at St Ives School in Haslemere enjoyed a visit from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service as part of their topic, People Who Help Us.

The firefighters talked to the children about their role in the community and the many ways in which they keep the public safe.

They taught the children about the five different services which can be accessed when dialling 999 – police, fire service, ambulance, mountain rescue and the coastguard – and taught the children how important it was to be clear which service you need when you dialled 999.

The firefighters also introduced the children to their uniform and its safety features and taught them how to ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ if your clothing catches fire, which the children found fascinating.

They were then each lifted into the fire engine which was parked on the school driveway and allowed to explore inside, see the blue flashing lights and hear the siren.

However, the highlight of the visit was when the firefighters brought out the hose and let the children play with it.

They all delighted in squirting traffic cones down the St Ives driveway and soaking everything in its path.

Kay Goldsworthy, headteacher at St Ives School, said: “The children loved their visit from Surrey Fire and Rescue and learnt what an invaluable service firefighters offer the community.

“Many have now chosen it as their preferred profession for when they are ‘grown-ups’!

“Thank you so much to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service for bringing the children’s topic to life.

“The children will remember it for years to come.”