BUDDING firefighters and fitness freaks were put through their paces at Kidlington Fire Station.

Members of the public were challenged to eight different tasks, including dragging a dummy and rolling out hoses.

The challenges at Kidlington Leisure Centre were based on real ones faced by firefighters.

Owen Blackford, 13, from Kidlington, said: “We were doing lots of stuff that people do when they’re training.

“Things like rolling out hoses and rolling them back in, running and weights.”

The Gosford Hill School pupil, who is a fire cadet, added: “There were lots of people there.

“I’m not sure if I want to be a fireman, but I enjoyed rolling out the hoses and having to put them back.”

Others at the event on Saturday were given a fitness test by trained advisers or had the opportunity to try to beat real firefighters in the challenges.

The day was part of the national FireFit health challenge, aiming to promote fitness and raise awareness of The Fire Fighters Charity.