TRAINEE firefighters have rowed the length of the rivers Tyne, Wear and Tees without leaving Durham market place.

Working in teams of three, the Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade trainees took it in turns to complete 15-minute stints on static rowing machines.

Wearing 35lb breathing apparatus, the trainees rowed from 9.45am on Saturday until the 144-mile target was passed at 3.30pm.

Training course director sub-officer Sean Gallagher said: "It's hard enough keeping up a constant pace for 15 minutes without having to wear the breathing kits."

The trainees were raising funds for the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund and for Darlington Outdoor Pursuits Club, where they recently took part in a team-building exercise.

Mr Gallagher said he hoped they would match the £2,500 raised last year, which was split between the benevolent fund and the Teesdale and Weardale Fell Rescue team.

* Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service's new recruits recently visited Pittington Primary School, near Durham.

During their two-day visit, the firefighters put on the brigade's latest kit, gave a series of presentations and showed videos to upper school pupils.

Fire safety officer David Turnbull said: "We are one of the few, if not the only fire service that takes recruits into a primary school to educate the children.

"The aim is to make the youngsters junior firefighters and encourage them to go home and pass on the message to their parents.

"It also gives the trainees a gentle run into talking to people, and as some of the lads are only in their early 20s, the children find it easy to relate to them."