Women from across the county enjoyed a day of top instruction and motoring fun at the Ladies Driving Challenge yesterday run by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Participants were encouraged to raise as much money as possible ahead of the challenge at Alconbury Airfield, Huntingdonshire, with each one raising at least £100.

Driving tutors gave ladies tuition driving the big vehicles, which included fire

engines, ambulances and double decker buses, before they took to the airfield to give the wheels a spin.

Articulated lorries weighing 44 tonnes were handed over for the day by a host of firms, including DHL, Asda and Amey Cespa, along with diggers, dumper trucks and quad bikes. Women could have a go on an F1 simulator, towed trailers around a complex course and manoeuvred Land Rover 4x4s across and over a series of obstacles.

Jon Neish, Group Commander and Fire Fighters’ Charity representative at CFRS, said: “The annual fundraiser went down a storm and I think it’s safe to say everyone involved had a fantastic day, raising much needed funds for a worthwhile charity.

“A huge thank you to dozens of volunteers who helped out on the day and the

local businesses who got involved by lending us their vehicles because without them, the event couldn’t go ahead. A big thank you also to companies who donated prizes for the raffle.”