Pupils enjoyed trying on fire fighter uniforms when Debbie Woodland from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue dropped in to chat to them about survival tactics in case of fire.

The 68 children aged from 10 to 11-year-olds at Holy Rood Junior School, Upham Road, Swindon, were given a presentation and watched DVDs about fire safety as part of the Wiltshire Fire Service education department programme.

Robin Christian, deputy head and Year 6 teacher at the school, said: “It showed the impact of fire and how amazing it is when something so slow gathers pace at such a speed.

“The children really appreciated that that was the main point and they talked about their own houses and were told how important smoke alarms are.’’ The youngsters had great fun trying on the pieces of uniform and apparatus the fire fighters use to enter a burning building.

There was a question and answer session after the DVD screening, and fire fighter Debbie put on the full fire regalia for the children to see.

Robin said that Holy Rood Junior School is keen to encourage outside visits to sow seeds of knowledge.

“We are keen to get parents to come to assemblies and talk about their jobs.

“We want to let the children hear about the wider world. We are at the heart of our community and part of it. It was a good visit and an important lesson for the pupils,’’ he said.