Crew cooked up a storm in kitchen

The crew baked cakes for a tea party held for 14 older residents and their volunteer drivers at Bognor Regis fire station.

Following some fierce debate, a lemon cake baked by blue watch firefighter Dave Hall emerged as winner of the competition.

The event was hosted by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with Contact the Elderly as part of the service’s ‘Who Cares?’ campaign.

Blue watch commander Dick Sargent said: “We know in West Sussex, older people are at increased risk of injury from fire so working with charities like Contact the Elderly means we are able to reach some of our most isolated residents.

“It was great to put a smile on so many faces as well as to have the opportunity to chat about fire safety relevant to older people.”

Contact the Elderly helps older people who live alone.

Carole Brett, the charity’s co-ordinator for Bognor, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and blue watch in Bognor for hosting such a wonderful tea party for our older guests and volunteer drivers.

“The crew made them all feel very welcome and they certainly enjoyed taking the role of Mary Berry.”