HATHERLEIGH firefighters made some big steps to raise funds for the Devon Air Ambulance and their Firefighters' Charity recently.

They undertook a 24 hour ladder climb at the fire station, which was later extended again outside the town's Co-op store.

In all they managed the dizzy heights of climbing to the top of the ladder some 1,852 times — which stretched end to end makes 13 miles and would have taken them to the edge of space.

Their efforts raised £1,000 for the Firefighters' Charity and £500 for the air ambulance.

Station manager Mark Saunders praised the crew for their efforts.

He told the Times: 'It was a really tremendous achievement by the personnel and shows the commitment both to the charities and the community.

'They set it all up and it was all off their own backs in their own time — all for two worthwhile charities.

'It was a lot of hard work, with a lot of repetitions and physically demanding.

'I was also impressed with the people of Hatherleigh who gave them great support and were very generous in sponsoring their efforts.'