LUDLOW firefighters raised more than £2,000 for charity while giving out Christmas fire safety advice to visitors at the recent medieval fair.

They collected a total of £2,233 at the entrance to Ludlow Castle – which will be divided between the Firefighters Charity and Midlands Air Ambulance.

Members of staff at Ludlow Fire Station also actively promoted a fire safety campaign launched by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service urging people to have their chimneys swept, to take care with Christmas decorations and install working smoke alarms.

Rotary club members also collected £660 for the air ambulance and led a procession of light with 30 torches to the Tree of Light, which was lit by actor John Challis.

A representative from the national Firefighters Charity also raised £689 selling items at the event.

“A grand total of £3,582 was raised for two worthwhile causes over the weekend,”

said firefighter Steve Perks.

“We would like to thank people for their generosity, Castle Lodge Buttery for keeping volunteers fed and watered and organisers of the Christmas fair and Ludlow Castle for supporting the charities.”