WITH their normal appliance away for its annual service, firefighters from Dawlish Fire Station have a 2003 MAN 10.224, pictured above, to keep themselves occupied.

It is a larger machine, with the body built by John Dennis of Guildford, than their typical vehicle and is classed as a 'Medium Response Pump'.

The vehicle can seat six firefighters, with room leftover for Breathing Apparatus equipment, which can be stored within the seats allowing for rapid quick deployment.

Elsewhere, the 03 plate vehicles sports a Godiva multi-pressure pump, which was made in Warwickshire, with two low pressure deliveries and two high pressure hose reels.

It also carries an additional Light Portable Pump - a Vanguard 18hp v-twin to be exact.

This can be used to access water sources further away from the vehicle, as well as act as a pressure booster when relaying water over longer distances.

A spokesman for Dawlish Fire Station said: 'Less computers on this older machine, nothing wrong with some big levers, taps and switches.

'The water tank capacity guage is a ping pong ball in a water tube, simple and effective!

'Lovely!'