Crocodiles and gorillas were just some of the animal’s children from Houghton Primary school asked if firefighters rescued in Cumbria.

It was a memorable afternoon for the reception class who made the trip to Carlisle East Fire Station to learn all about the emergency services along with fire safety.

The children, aged four and five, had been excited all morning and class teacher, Helen Word, said: “They have been so excited all morning they didn’t know how to contain it. The older children at school have been on the visit before and had loved they all wanted to come again.

“ I think it is really important that the children come, they’re able to learn what type of information is needed and also it’s them that is able to put the pressure on parents to get some alarms.”

The children bounced into the station with questions filling the room some of which were great but others were a little strange.

Firstly the youngsters had the chance for a question and answer time where they found out the different types of rescues firefighters do which included swift-water rescues, animal rescues and from fires.

Explaining to the four and five-year-olds how important it is to get out and stay out, Tom Harding crew manager from the station said: “Sometimes it’s best for the children to come to us and the idea is they have young minds and absorb the information and we can help them understand the importance of having a smoke detector in their home. You hear stories up and down the county of children calling the emergency service’s and we’re trying to help them understand what they need to tell us, such are where they live which services to call. The more a child understands the more will help us the other services.

“If I can get one child to go home and get their parents to have a smoke detector fitted that is potentially a life we have saved.”

The excited children had a tour round the station and the fire engine learning that the firefighters favourite tv shows are Fireman Sam and Cbeebies.

Enjoying the tour, Caitlin Kelly, 4, said: “I was really excited to come and see the fire station and it has been lots and lots of fun.”