HUNDREDS of families helped raise more than £500 for charity at an open day held at Dunmow Fire Station on Saturday. Crowds flocked to the event and watched demonstrations, had fun on a bouncy castle and got to meet Essex FM s Black Thunder team. Station

HUNDREDS of families helped raise more than £500 for charity at an open day held at Dunmow Fire Station on Saturday.

Crowds flocked to the event and watched demonstrations, had fun on a bouncy castle and got to meet Essex FM's Black Thunder team.

Station Officer Keith Crow said: "The day was really good, we raised around £400 for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund by selling items. Another £190 came from donations for the Burned Children's Club.

The Dunmow fire crew will be conducting more demonstrations at this year's Dunmow Carnival.

Mr Crow said: "We now have new Holmatro cutting gear at the station, which is significantly better than the old Clan Lucas equipment."

The kit has cost the station £17,000.