A FIREFIGHTER appeared in court yesterday - accused of speeding in a fire engine.

Anthony Hey, 41, from Granwood Road, Eston, Middlesbrough, was driving a tender through Eston when he was caught by a speed camera in March last year.

Guisborough magistrates were told he plans to plead guilty to exceeding a 30mph limit but claims there was a problem with the fire engine's speedometers.

Craig Beer, for Hey, said: "We are saying that the fire service are driving vehicles which do not give a correct reading and then the police are clocking them."

He said that the engine in question was being inspected both by police and an engineer from the fire service.

Mr Beer said other expert evidence may be given at the next court hearing.

After the case, Mr Hey confirmed he was not attending an emergency at the time of the incident.

Speaking after the hearing, a spokesperson from Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "The speedo was checked on this vehicle and found to be working correctly.

"The firefighter involved was told this.

"All our vehicles are regularly maintained and none have been found to have anything wrong with the speedos.

"Emergency services are exempt from the speed limit if we have our blue lights flashing and are on an emergency and are driving with due care and attention.

"But as soon as the emergency is over, then normal rules apply."

The case was adjourned until May 19.