FIRE-fighters once again proved the difficulty of driving a fire engine around Wisbech town centre, as a neighbourhood action week came to a close. A crew from the town s fire station drove around the market place, along Market Street and around the Cresc

FIRE-fighters once again proved the difficulty of driving a fire engine around Wisbech town centre, as a neighbourhood action week came to a close.

A crew from the town's fire station drove around the market place, along Market Street and around the Crescent to show people how their parking could, one day, be the difference between life and death.

Fire-fighter Adrian Moore, who drove the fire engine on Friday, said: "When people park up and leave their cars, it could cause us a problem because the town centre is quite narrow.

"We do this regularly - we carry out fire checks as a crew and bring a pump with us."

As the fire engine was held up by parked vehicles, PCSO's slapped fixed penalty notices on windscreens.

At one point on Friday's trip around the market place, a white van held up the fire engine outside the Hughes electrical store - and led to a queue of cars the length of the market square waiting to get through. Fire crews had to wait more than five minutes, until the driver returned to his van to get through.

"If we really were on an emergency call we would have to pick the van up and move it," said Mr Moore. "We are not trained to, and health and safety laws would say that is not a good idea either."

The fire-fighters' trip was part of the 'Not in my Neighbourhood' week, held across Fenland last week. It saw a number of community engagement activities and increased patrols across parts of Wisbech.

On Friday, there were also a number of trade stands in the market square offering information and advice. Roddons Housing Association, Fenland District Council, Addaction, Drinksense and Neighbourhood Watch were some of the groups and organisations which had stalls.

• For a full round-up of the week, see Friday's paper.