Firefighters got their hands dirty to raise more than £5,000 by washing the county's cars.

More than 150 firefighters from 12 stations across Oxfordshire took part in the charity event to raise cash for the Fire Fighters' Charity, formerly the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, last weekend.

They swapped hoses for buckets and sponges to clean 1,000 vehicles.

At Oxford's Rewley Road fire station, visitors also had the chance to tour the building and meet local firefighters.

Pete Mackay, Fire Fighters' Charity co-ordinator for Oxfordshire County Council's fire and rescue service, said: "We are exceedingly pleased with the money we raised. It was tremendously successful.

"We broke through the £5,000 target we set ourselves and by claiming Gift Aid we could have a final figure of more than £6,000.

He added: "It was a fantastic day. It was a great opportunity to interact with the public and raise money for a great charity.

"People give money to charity and get something back as well."

Firefighters at Bicester raised the most cash, a whopping £707.

Mr Mackay added: "They washed about 170 cars. They were absolutely swamped."

Nationally, Fire Fighters' Charity hopes to raise £300,000 from car washes at stations by the end of the year.

The Fire Fighters' Charity provides support to more than 13,500 men, women and children from the fire community each year through the provision of sheltered accommodation, recuperative facilities, rehabilitation and therapy and financial support.

But it costs more than £9m to keep the charity up-and-running every year and fundraisers are completely dependent on donations.

Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "The charity carries out vital work, helping injured firefighters and supporting families who may have suffered the loss of a loved one.

"Well done to everyone who helped make the day a success and raise such a fantastic sum of money."