FIREFIGHTERS helped children from a local scout group raise money with a charity car wash day.

Weymouth community fire station in Radipole Lane hosted the car wash - and children even had the chance to use the fire engine hoses to clean visitor's cars.

The money raised will be split between The Fire Fighters Charity and West Weymouth Air Scout Group, who are currently fundraising for an extension to their scout hut.

The scouts are hoping to upgrade the existing facilities at their home in Granby Close and make it accessible for people with wheelchairs.

This will include new fire doors, toilets, showers, washbasins, a heating and hot water system, fire alarms, security locks, ramps, flooring, signage, emergency lighting, and drainage. It is expected to cost a total exceeding £100,000.

More than £15,000 was raised through a crowdfunding page set up by the group, and John Naylor, one of the people who runs the group, says events like the car wash have helped the scouts raise more than £30,000 so far.

He said: "It has got a way to go, but we have made a great start.

"We have plenty more fundraising events coming up this autumn and we will achieve our target eventually."

Vikki Thomas, safe and well manager at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We have teamed up with them to help fundraise for their new extension project.

"So far today we have washed about 30 or 40 cars already. Most people have given five or ten pounds each so it is going quite well.

"We have ten children and leaders washing people's cars, the hoses we have here are actually the perfect tools for the job really.

"I am also the secretary for West Weymouth Air Scouts so we do quite a lot of work together with the station here.

"We have tried to do car washes and other fundraising events in the past and the children come here to use the SafeWise facilities too."