NORTHWICH firefighters are rolling up their sleeves and arming themselves with sponges and buckets of water for the annual Fire Fighters Charity car wash.

They will be raising money for the charity, which gives respite, recuperation and rehabilitation for sick and injured firefighters and their families, by washing cars in exchange for a donation.

Firefighters will also be conducting winter driving checks at the event, which is taking place at the fire station in Braddon Close on Tuesday, October 30 from 10am to 4pm.

Firefighter Stuart Plaskett, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's Fire Fighter Charity coordinator, said: "We would really appreciate motorists bringing their cars along to have them washed in return for a donation. All funds raised go to The Fire Fighters Charity, the UK’s leading provider of life-enhancing services for serving and retired fire service personnel and their families.”

Chief fire officer Mark Cashin said: “The charity car wash is a great way to not only increase awareness of road safety but also to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity which has provided assistance to serving and retired firefighters for 75 years."

The charity needs more than £8 million annually to secure services at its three centres.