SERVING and retired firefighters from across the North-East will be celebrating the 36th anniversary of one of the country’s oldest fire engine rallies as it returns to the region this month.

The annual Fire Engine and Vintage Vehicle Rally will celebrate equipment used by firefighters across the decades with old and new engines going on display alongside vintage cars, military vehicles and farm machinery.

The rally will be hosted in the grounds of the Preston Park Museum, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, and will include two special guests – a 1992 Dennis Rapier and a 1992 Volvo Triple Agent Tender.

The vehicles will be reunited for the first time since both attending the largest peacetime fire on Teesside at the BASF Wilton site in October 1995.

Families are invited to the rally between 11am and 5pm on Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25, which also includes performances from monster truck and motorcycle display teams.

The rally is hosted every year in a bid to raise funds for The Firefighters Charity, which supports the health and wellbeing of fire officers.