FIREFIGHTERS teamed up with young bookworms at a shop in the town centre to chat about the ‘People Who Help Us’ last week.

As part of Child Safety Week, Watch Manager Damo Wight, Crew Manager Matt Cullen and Firefighter Dave Cross from Stockton Heath fire station set up camp in Waterstones in Golden Square to read Tony Mitton’s Flashing Fire Engines to groups of children.

The crew was inspired by the success of the ‘People Who Help Us’ topic in schools, which focuses on teaching children about community workers and support services.

Crew Manager Matt Cullen said: "As 'People Who Help Us' is such an important topic in schools, we wanted to make this subject even more interesting by doing something fun and interactive.

“Flashing Fire Engines is fantastic as it explains exactly what being a firefighter is all about in an age appropriate way.

“Waterstones were great to work with, helping us set up the children’s area with similar books so parents and carers could see the benefit of this type of reading and the children loved having the firefighters in their very own area and getting dressed up in the fire kit!

“The event was open to everyone. We talked about fire safety with the children, and read the story at key intervals.”