FIREFIGHTERS from Liskeard swapped pumps for paddles as they kayaked more than 30 miles for the Firefighters Charity.

The six crew members, some of whom had never even been in a kayak before, started their voyage early in the morning on the banks of the River Tamar at Gunnislake.

‘We started with high tide and with the wind behind us,’ said a spokesperson for Liskeard Fire Station.

‘But when we finally reached Plymouth and started our journey back, the weather turned on us and made the journey back very difficult.’

The team had originally aimed to get back to Gunnislake, but in fading light and poor weather, they decided to call it a day at Calstock.

‘However, the crew were pleased to have raised just over £300. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us.’