LITTLE boys are obsessed with them and the rest of us are so glad they are around.

Let’s face it, who can resist a fire engine? These magnificent machines have been helping save lives and property across East Lancashire for generations.

Here we have been into the archives to unearth some of the various emergency vehicles which have served the area so well.

From the earliest horse drawn carriages to the more modern self-contained appliances capable of tackling a major blaze, East Lancashire’s fire engines have always been pretty impressive pieces of machinery.

Rather like cars on the road, the emergency vehicles from your childhood stick with - and also show your age.

We hope this trip down Memory Lane will ring a bell or two - no pun intended!