APPRENTICES got more than a spark of excitement when they were put through their paces by Wiltshire firefighters.

The teenagers included those on courses run by Wiltshire College and Wiltshire Council plus four already doing apprenticeships with Dorset Fire & Rescue Service.

Trainer Sam Legg-Bagg put them through practical exercises including getting them fitted in full breathing apparatus and trying their hand at abseiling from the training tower.

The apprentices met at the fire service's training and development centre in Devizes on Friday morning for a day they will not forget.

They undertook practical workshops which included searching a smoke-filled room, using hydraulic cutting equipment in a simulated accident.

There were also classroom workshops focusing on coaching and mentoring, interview skills and assertiveness.

It was also an opportunity for fire service staff to talk about the importance of road safety and the benefits of being an on-call firefighter.

Ticki Toogood, head of learning and development at Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, said: "Our four apprentices have been working in HR, community safety, ICT and learning & development, and having them here has been hugely beneficial to the organisation as well as for them individually.

"We were delighted to host this first networking event for apprentices working in a wide range of businesses and industries. It was a great day for everyone."