PROUD family and friends looked on as a group of young people with disabilities showed off their fire fighting skills.

The eight young people had just completed their specially adapted version of the London Fire Brigade’s LIFE (Local Intervention Fire Education) course at Erith fire station.

This is the third year the brigade has run its disabliity course, orginally designed for youngsters at risk or already involved in crime or their victims.

Young people learn a variety of fire fighting skills such as using ladders and breathing apparatus, hoseline practice, casualty rescue techniques and problem solving tasks.

The idea is for the youngsters to learn more about fire safety as well as boosting their confidence, motivation and discipline.

It was run in conjunction with Bexley SNAP (Special Needs Access to Provision).

The young people showed off their newly acquired skills with a drill in front of their guests before being presented with their course certificates.