MORE than 200 years ago it was the saviour of many a flame-filled house in ancient Malmesbury – or at least those properties insured against fire.

Now the town’s historic 18th century fire pump has been restored and is set to be officially unveiled later this month.

Conservation work on the four-man manual appliance has been underway in recent months following its loan to the Wiltshire Fire Museum in Potterne near Devizes.

Since the restoration was finished a few weeks ago the wooden ‘fire engine’ has taken pride of pride of place at Malmesbury’s Tourism Information Office at the Town Hall.

It has been meticulously restored to pristine condition by The Friends of Athelstan Museum (FOAM.)

Last year’s Mayor of Malmesbury Sue Poole will unveil the one-time life and property saver at its annual general meeting at the Town Hall Assembly Room on Monday, September 14.

FOAM secretary Angela Sykes said: “It’s wonderful isn’t it. The old fire pump took quite some time to restore and it looks absolutely fantastic now – really excellent.”

The pump-on-wheels was almost certainly made by Samuel Phillips of New Surrey Street, Blackfriars in London during the second half of the 18th century.

Phillips began making fire engines in 1760 and in 1797 the firm became Phillips and Hopwood.

The fire pump would have been conveyed to the fire by horse and then dragged as close to the conflagration as possible.

Water would be fetched in buckets from the nearest source – probably the River Avon - by a string of helpers.

It was then poured into the appliance’s ‘reservoir’ and four men, pumping as hard as possible, forced the water up the hose so it could be sprayed onto the blaze.

Not all houses in Malmesbury were protected – only those which displayed a plaque denoting that insurance had been taken out.

Subscribers had their fire put out free of charge but had to pay for oiling and greasing the hose afterwards.