YOUNGSTERS have shown their appreciation to firefighters - by presenting them with a picture that is all their own work.

The children from Mill Hill school, Northallerton, visited their local fire station last month to learn about fire safety.

Firefighters used the Great Fire of London as an example of how blazes were once dealt with, using long lines of people and buckets of water.

"We lined all the children up in the yard and re-enacted the techniques they would have used in 1666," said a spokesman.

"It was the first time we had done it, and it received very favourable feedback from the pupils and teachers."

The same youngsters returned to the fire station to say thanks and presented the firefighters with a painting they had created.

"It is evident a great deal of effort has gone into the picture by all the children and, more importantly, it is evidence the fire safety messages have remained with them," said the brigade spokesman.

"We are all very impressed with the picture, and we shall ensure that it is hung in a prominent place in the foyer where all our visitors can share it."