MORE than 300 excited children enjoyed being a firefighter for the day as the new state-of-the-art Bury Training and Community Safety Centre flung open its doors to the public.

The children and their parents spent the day exploring the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Centre facility, getting safety advice and joining in the fun.

Tours were laid on to show children what it is like to be a firefighter and see first-hand the tasks they are called upon to undertake.

Visitors even got to take part in activities including listening to real-life emergency calls in the simulated control room as well as taking turns to spot hazards in a home and seeing the horrendous consequences of fire.

Visitors experienced the immersive theatre, which stimulates the senses with the smell of smoke, the heat of a fire and the sound of the sirens.

There fire service’s dog team was also on hand along with officers from Greater Manchester Police.

Geoff Harris, GMFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, said: “We are very proud of this new facility. The centre will help to educate young people about the risks of fire and how they might keep themselves safe.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the public and we hope that this open day is the first of many. In the meantime, we’re looking forward to welcoming schools into the centre over the coming months.”

People who came along also found out about the wide variety of skills firefighters have – including delivering CPR to people who’ve suffered a cardiac arrest.

Sara Harris from North West Ambulance Service, who works alongside Transformation Project Support Officers Jim Bridge and Paul Duggan, spent the day teaching people how to do CPR and use a defibrillator.

The centre is the largest firefighter training facility in the UK and designed to inform visitors of all ages about how to protect themselves against fire and other dangers.

It offers free interactive learning opportunities to all schools and communities and has been dubbed ‘the visit that could save your life’.

To find out more about the centre, including how to book a school visit, visit safetycentre.manchesterfire.gov.uk/.