VINTAGE fire engines will take pride of place at a day to honour the Victorian benefactor who founded Teesside's first fire service.
An open day and exhibition, to commemorate the founding of the former Stockton Fire Brigade by Thomas Whitwell, will take place at the Masonic Hall, Wellington Street, Stockton, on Friday.
Pride of place at the event, organised by retired firefighters from the Cleveland bri-gade, will be the display of fire engines dating from 1871.
Members of Cleveland Fire Authority have been invited to join in the celebration to honour their 19th Century colleague, a Thornaby factory owner who also served as a Stockton councillor.
Councillor John Jones, chairman of Cleveland Fire Authority, said: "Cleveland Fire Brigade has come a long way since Thomas Whitwell's day, but the vintage fire engines on show should attract as much attention and admiration as the high-tech equipment used by today's firefighter."
Former Stockton firefighter Ray Stephenson, who helped to organise the event, said: "Retired firefighters who served in the area are keen to keep the organisation going in honour of Whitwell and its proud history."
Events, demonstrations and displays will take place inside and around the Masonic Hall site from 10am to 4pm.
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