MIDDLEWICH firefighters are rolling up their sleeves and arming themselves with sponges and buckets of water for the annual Fire Fighters Charity car wash.

They will be raising money for the charity, which gives respite, recuperation and rehabilitation for sick and injured firefighters and their families, by washing cars in exchange for a donation.

Middlewich’s car wash is taking place at the fire station on Civic Way on Sunday, October 21 from 10am to 3pm.

Stuart Plaskett, service's Fire Fighter Charity coordinator, said: "We would really appreciate motorists bringing their cars along to have them washed in return for a donation.

“All funds raised go to The Fire Fighters Charity, the UK’s leading provider of life-enhancing services for serving and retired fire service personnel and their families.”

Mark Cashin, north west chair of the Fire Fighters Charity and chief fire officer, said: “The charity car wash is a great way to not only increase awareness of road safety but also to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity which has provided assistance to serving and retired firefighters for 75 years."

The Fire Fighters Charity is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and held its last car wash in March. The event raises valuable funds for the charity, which needs more than £8 million annually to secure services at its three centres across the country.