A park has added lifesaving training to its list of uses.

The fire brigade is using one of the eight recreational lakes at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, to recreate training situations.

Officers are using its expanse of undisturbed water to recreate oil spills, in which it is necessary to float hoses.

Keith Hamilton, city of Sunderland reclamation and landscapes manager, said: "Herrington Country Park was designed to provide the people of the city with a variety of amenities and this proves just how versatile it is.

"The fire brigade asked us if it could use the lake as it is perfect for training purposes, and the council was only too delighted to oblige.

"Crews from all four watches at Grindon fire station are involved, and regularly pop into the park to use the lake to practise some of their emergency techniques."

A fire brigade spokesman said: "Being able to use the lake is very useful - having this large stretch of water where we can train undisturbed really helps make our training even more realistic."