OXFORD Airport has taken delivery of a purpose-built fire engine costing more than £500,000.

The tender was specially designed by the Iturri Group in Spain to meet the airport’s needs.

It will be on display to the public at the Fly to the Past air show at the airport in Kidlington on Sunday.

The airport has a long-term strategy to improve its facilities for dealing with aircraft emergencies and hopes to buy two more of the machines from Iturri’s Seville factory.

Airport manager Mike Sparrow said: “Our goal is to introduce up to three new engines to our fleet within the next five years.”

Constructed from a recyclable composite, EcoPolyFire, it is lighter than traditional airport fire engines, allowing it to carry 11,900 tonnes of water, while improving acceleration. It carries a four-strong crew and has six-wheel drive, allowing it to operate on rough ground away from runways.

The airport’s chief fire officer, Mark Phipps, said: “In an airport incident situation you need a tender that is fast, quick and powerful, as the window for preventing serious damage or saving lives is very small.”

Air industry managers can inspect the machine today at an airport briefing on preparations for the Olympic Games. Oxford has been identified as one of the airports to handle additional flights for the Games.