A FIREFIGHTER wannabe celebrated his fourth birthday with a surprise tour of Bolton Fire Station.

Thomas Slater, a pupil at St Mary's, Deane was treated to the very special trip by his mum, Nicola, after years of pestering her about his passion for the fire service.

Nicola, of Hawkshead Drive, Deane said: "He wakes up all the neighbours by running around making fire engine sounds. Every time he sees a fire engine he tells me that he wants one and when his favourite programme 'London's Burning' is on I can't get him to go to bed. We used to sit and watch it together with a drink and biscuits, but now it's finished he's really upset."

But the pint sized fire-fighting fanatic soon cheered up as he donned a large pair of boots, a helmet, a pair of fire men's pants and was given free range with a large hose-pipe!

He was also treated to a tour of the fire engine and had a go at switching on the blue flashing lights and sirens.

It was the second birthday treat for the lucky youngster who also enjoyed a party with his friends and family at Wally's Children's Club in Deane.

Firefighter Tony McKenna said: "We have had quite a few children come to the station to look round.

"They all enjoy it although they are often a bit shy and over-awed at first. Thomas is a well-behaved lad and seems to have had a good time."

Nicola, who also has two daughters, Karen, five and Hannah, 10 said: "He has loved it and no doubt will be driving me even more mad about being a fireman in the future!"