FIREMEN from Bolton took part in some hot work yesterday - and beat a record at the same time.

Watched by an enthusiastic crowd of shoppers, 30 firemen scaled an aerial ladder against the side of Bolton Town Hall and smashed the record by more than an hour.

The event was organised by former Bolton firemen sub-officer Mike Sutherland and station officer Neil Barlow who are now based at GMFS headquarters in Swinton. Neil was amazed with the success of the firemen, the majority from Bolton.

"They did really well, particularly as it was so hot. They were wearing full firefighting gear which is designed to withstand heat but keep the heat in as well." Oxygen was available at the top and it was needed by one or two of the men and cold drinks provided by the WRVS.

The record, held by the Cardiff Fire Service, stood at one hour 57 minutes and the Bolton achievement was 53 minutes and five seconds. Neil said: "They didn't just break the record they smashed it."

The firefighters completed around 15 climbs each as part of a Europe-wide fund-raising event for the world's first lung cancer research centre in Liverpool.

There were other fun events for members of the public to enjoy in Bolton's Victoria Square and a fund-raising evening at the Club Mondo nightclub in Bolton.

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