FROM learning how to save a snake from a burning building to abseiling down an 80ft cliff face, Bridgwater's firefighters have been picking up new life-saving skills.

As reported in the Mercury, Bridgwater Fire Station has been upgraded to a specialist training facility, meaning crews will be able to undertake specialist rescue missions.

The Salmon Parade station is one of only four in Devon and Somerset to be awarded the status.

Local firefighters have embarked on a series of tough training sessions over the past few months in three disciplines - water rescue, rope rescue, and large animal rescue.

Here Andy Green, crew manager for Green Watch at Bridgwater Fire Station, guides The Mercury through his team's progress: WATER RESCUE: “We went to Bala, near Snowdon in Wales, last February and spent a week involved in basic training exercises.

“It has taken 14 months but we are all fully qualified now, which means we can help out if there is major flooding.”

ROPE RESCUE: “Training started last September and it is still ongoing. We are looking at being qualified at the beginning of next year.

“We will be trained in rope rescues from any height - this mainly involved cliff rescues, which have been carried out by coastguards.”

LARGE ANIMAL RESCUE: “Two trainers from Bridgwater went down to the New Forest to work with Hampshire Fire and Rescue because they are the lead rescuers in this field and picked up the skills needed to pass on back here.

“We have since held training sessions at the Cannington Equine Centre and its animal management centre, which were provided free of charge.

“This involved handling exotic animals like snakes and spiders and we all had a great time.”