Firefighters will transform the town's fire station into a winter wonderland to celebrate Christmas.

Egremont Fire Station staff have organised a Christmas event for Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 between 2pm and 6pm.

Children will be able to have a go on fairground rides, meet Welephant - a fire brigade mascot - and visit Santa in his grotto. They can also post their letters in his postbox and money raised on the day will be donated to the Fire Fighters Charity.

Crew members recently spent a Saturday afternoon washing cars to collect over £500 for the charity.

"We were doing our car wash and had the idea for a 'Winter Wonderland'," said crew manager David McDowell.

"We've never done it before so we don't know if 10 or 200 people will turn up but we thought it would be good to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity.

"We have had a lot of help from the Crab Fair committee so we will be donating to them too."

The Fire Fighters Charity is the UK's leading provider of services that enhance quality of life for serving and retired firefighters, fire personnel and their families.

Staff at the station previously won a national competition when they managed to collect a record-breaking 7.7 tonnes of textiles during January, raising £1,700 for the charity. The firefighters saw off the challenge from 603 fire stations across the UK, as £39,000 was raised for the charity.

It was the second year in a row the station has been victorious in the competition.

The Christmas event will also include hot drinks and mince pies and a tombola, with prizes donated by local shops. To meet Santa will cost £3 and children will receive a gift.

To find out more about the charity visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk