FIRE fighters joined leisure centre staff on Friday as they used rowing machines to complete the iconic Devizes to Westminster race without leaving dry land.

The effort to cover 211,168 metres was staged at Devizes Leisure Centre as part of Dementia Awareness Week and raised cash for Alzheimer's Support.

Fire district commander Jack Nicholson said his crews had volunteered to join the charity effort after receiving guidance on dementia awareness from the charity's worker Sheila Ashley.

He said: "The Service is also looking to roll this awareness training out across all it’s departments."

On Friday staff and customers of the leisure centre along with the firefighters spent 12 hours on the machines to cover the distance of the canoe race which starts every Good Friday from Devizes Wharf.

Ms Ashley said: "We had great support from staff and from leisure centre customers who took turns too. A huge thank you to everyone who rowed and donated.”

A total of £250 was raised for the charity by the teams led by health and wellbeing manager Dan Webb and fitness instructor Paul Elston.

A number of other events were held throughout the county by Alzheimer's Support during the week and backing also came from the Orders of St John Care Trust, which runs 15 care homes across Wiltshire.

These included a nature trail at Coombe End Court in Marlborough, a coffee morning and trip to a scarecrow trail at Hayward Care Centre, Devizes, scone making at Hungerford House, Corsham and a trip down memory lane and pampering session at Marden Court in Calne.

The week was created with a view to educating people about dementia and those living with the condition as a way of helping those individuals feel valued, confident and able to retain as much of their independence as possible.