Burton Mail reporters Suzanne Harrop and Kim Briscoe were officially 'extricated' by firefighters when they selflessly stepped forward to volunteer as casualties in a mock emergency.

Suzanne (top picture) said: "It's every girl's dream to be manhandled by firemen so we jumped at the chance!

"The fire brigade had mentioned the event and we thought it would make a good feature."

The Burton personnel from Red and Green Watch were rehearsing for the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue's Extrication Challenge, which tested how they reacted to a simulated road accident.

Suzanne said: "Kim stepped in for one of the Watch's practice because I had to go out on another job - and she came off worse because she had to lie on the roof of an upturned car. Mine was much more straightforward."

But the reporters' efforts were well worthwhile - Green Watch won the competition and Red Watch came third - and the girls ended up with a double-page feature.

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