YOUNGSTERS at Busy Bees Preschool in Ledbury recently enjoyed a project all about the local community, and that included visits to both the town's fire station and police station.

The children were also asked to think about the wide variety of houses and shops that exist in the market town, and they visited "places of interest".

A Busy Bees spokesperson said: "We visited Ledbury Fire Station where we learned about how the firefighters tackle fires. They let us have a go with the hose, showed us what their equipment looks like and demonstrated a thermal imaging camera. The highlight for us was seeing a curtain hose in action which was a wonderful sight.

"To reinforce our learning about fire safety and firework safety, two local Police Community Support Officers visited us. The children listened carefully to PCSO Alexander and PCSO Barson and answered questions such as 'what do you do with a sparkler when it goes out?' The PCSOs invited us to the Police Station to look at the vehicles. Children sat in the car, tried the sirens and lights and listened to information about the role of the police. They particularly enjoyed sitting in the cages in the back of the police van!"

The spokesman added: "Also during our focus on Ledbury, we visited Coffee #1, went to the park, visited the parish church and train station and chose books from the library. We also visited a Country Market where we spotted lots of different fruits and vegetables and enjoyed a snack of toast and home-made biscuits.

"We've been warmly welcomed wherever we've been, praised for the children's behaviour and concluded that Ledbury is a fantastic place to live."