A FESTIVE open day will be held at Westlea Fire station to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity.

The firestation, on mead way, will have a range of modern and vintage fire engines on display, a Santas grotto, as well as some safety demonstrations.

The event will run from 10.30am until 3pm, Santa will be in his grotto between 12 and 2pm after being rescued from the training town.

Event organisers, Firefighter Simon Owen and Crew Manager Robbie MacPherson, said: “This is a great way to start the Christmas season, and an opportunity for local people to visit the fire station and find out more about what we do.

"Thanks to a number of local businesses, children visiting Santa in his grotto will get a small present – there will be a small charge for this, but all proceeds will go to the Fire Fighters Charity, which is a really important cause for us.”

As well as the open day, the Westlea crew will be making their popular visits around the West Swindon area with Father Christmas and a vintage fire appliance, again to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity, on December 3.