THE first stage of construction on a new state-of-the-art training centre in Bury is under way.

A sod-cutting ceremony marked the first spade in the ground on Monday at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s (GMFRS) multi-million pound development in Wellington Street.

Existing features on the land will be used such as tunnels and culverts, cellars, bridges, embankments, rubble piles, a lodge and a section of river, to provide realistic training for crews.

In addition, a 'Fire Street' will be created to include a variety of simulated detached and terraced homes and commercial buildings where firefighters can recreate incidents.

The centre will allow firefighters to train for every possible incident, including: transport incidents such as tram and train derailments and road collisions; water rescues; incidents involving hazard materials; search and rescue; collapsed buildings; and high-rise building fires.

A large warehouse will be transformed into a community hub, featuring an interactive area for people to visit and learn about fire safety.

Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, councillor David Acton, said: “It’s taken us years to get to where we are today – from the idea of having a world-class training facility in Bury to the cutting of the first sod.

“The exciting development will allow firefighters from Greater Manchester – and potentially beyond – to train in the most modern and realistic conditions.

“This will help us to ensure that as we continue to reduce the number of fires and incidents we attend through our successful prevention work, we support our firefighters and officers to maintain their skills and experience of dealing with real fires.

“The centre will also provide a fantastic facility for the community where young people inparticular can learn how to protect themselves from fire and other dangers in an exciting and memorable way while gaining an insight into the varied work of GMFRS.”

Pupils from Bury Grammar Schools and St Gabriel’s High School attended the official ceremony.

St Gabriel’s pupil, Harrison Smart, aged 13, said: “I think it’s important that the firefighters train in a realistic environment because if there’s an active emergency they need to be able to act fast and their ability to do that could be the difference between life or death.”

The development, being built by Kier Construction Northern, will also create a number of apprenticeship opportunities in construction, and is expected to open at the end of summer 2016.