BLACKPOOL firefighters are reaching new heights after taking delivery of a new aerial ladder platform (ALP) yesterday (October 11).

The £370,000 vehicle, the latest addition to Bispham Fire Station's fleet, gives cover to the whole of the Fylde Coast.

The ALP is the third vehicle to go into service in the county. There is one already stationed in Blackburn and another in Preston, which used to be sent to serious incidents in the Blackpool area.

A rescue cage and a powerful water cannon on an extending hydraulic arm which soars to 100 feet and reaches out 70 feet makes the ALP versatile enough to complete a variety of fire and rescue operations.

Blackpool councillors met fire crews at the handover ceremony to see the ALP put through its paces. Chief fire officer Peter Holland said at the ceremony: "Our firefighters need the best equipment we can provide to deliver the best possible service to people throughout the Lancashire area.

"Our existing aerial ladder platform has already proved its worth at incidents in the Fylde and this latest addition to the fleet provides an even greater emergency response capability.

"With an expected lifespan of 15 years it is set to make a long-term contribution to our fire and rescue service's capability to protect and serve our communities," said Mr Holland.

Pictured are (from left to right) Coun George Bancroft, County Coun Niki Penney, chairman of the combined fire authority, Coun Mike Carr and firefighter Paul Moon.