Families flocked to Watford’s new multi-million pound fire station today for an exclusive behind the scenes tour.

Jubilant children donned yellow helmets, had fun with water hoses and explored gleaming red fire engines at the station, in Lower High Street.

Visitors were also invited inside the station’s well-stocked museum to learn about the history and were shown a number of fire safety demonstrations.

It is the first time the public have been invited onto the site since it was opened in November. Martin France, of Coates Way, Garston, was visiting with his three-year-old “fireman mad” son, Harry-William.

He explained: “He’s been beside himself with excitement about coming here today. He’s been looking forward to it for ages.

“He’s fireman mad at the moment. Every time we see a fire engine we have to stop and watch it go by. He’s absolutely loving it here.”

Blue Watch Commander Geoff Collins said: “This is a chance for people to come and see what we do. It’s good for us to meet the public and for them to see how we work. We are a community fire station so that is very important to us.”