A TEAM of local firefighters are giving rescue services in cash-strapped South America a new lease of life with an urgent aid package.

The life-savers, led by former Blackburn and Accrington firefighter Colin Cunliffe are sending a truckload of rescue equipment to Paraguay, before going out next year to train people to use it.

The scheme is part of national charity, Operation Florian, which raises money to buy surplus fire and rescue equipment to give to countries that cannot afford their own. In the past war-torn Serbia and Bosnia have been helped by the charity, which often sends convoys of old fire trucks to the countries.

Colin Cunliffe, of Ribchester, said: "Last year I went out to Paraguay with another firefighter to conduct an audit. I found they have no funding at all there. It is not a rich country, so the quality of firefighting is subject to the enthusiasm of its volunteers.

"So now we are sending out breathing apparatus, rope rescue equipment, and road accident supplies."

Colin served in Lancashire Fire and Rescue service for 31 years, in Accrington, Chorley, Blackburn and Preston before retiring.

He said: "We have accumulated a lot of equipment from various fire brigades, for example Cumbria and Newcastle. It is all surplus to requirements, so we buy it. The next step is to fund the purchase of two old fire engines from Lancashire Fire and Rescue."

Joining Colin in the life-saving mission will be Colin Buyers, a station officer at the Washington Hall fire training centre in Chorley. The pair sent the vital supplies from Water Street, Ribchester, on Saturday.

Joining the pair next year will be Leading Firefighter Jed Richmond, of Burnley, Sub-officer Andrew Wilkinson, from Preston, and two firefighters from London.

Colin said: "All the equipment has ben donated from different firefighters and brigades, and after we have loaded the container and sent it out we're going to go too.

"Just to give people the equipment without the training is very dangerous. So once we have sent the container off to Paraguay six of us are going out to train them, in January and February next year."