14245/2THERE has been no excuse for a dirty car in Pewsey this week after the village firefighters turned their hoses on more than 90 vehicles on Saturday.

They were taking part for the first time in the national Car Wash Day in aid of the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.

The charity which supports injured or sick firefighters and their families benefited by £705 as a result of local car owners' generosity.

In three hours 12 of the station's 18 firefighters led by their sub officer Mervyn Hampshire cleaned 95 cars.

The cars were soaped all over before the uniformed crews used their fire engine hoses to blast the dirt off.

A final rub over with chamois leathers left the cars gleaming to the delight of their owners.

Firefighter Stuart Hillier who organised the event with his colleagues said they were overwhelmed with the support they received.

He said: "We had no idea how many cars would turn up or even what to charge them.

"We asked the drivers to give us what they liked and they were unbelievably generous.

"Some gave us fivers while others paid with a £20 note."

Mr Hillier said: "Everybody was really pleased and we had a lot of them ask when we would be doing it again.

"It was a brilliant day which we all enjoyed.

"It saved a lot of people from having to wash their own cars and made a decent amount for the benevolent fund."