If you began the new year with a clear out then your local fire station could be the perfect place to send your unwanted clothes.

Fire crews locally are joining a national Bag it and Bank it?recycling championships where stations compete with each other to collect the most textile donations in their yellow charity bin throughout January.

The plea for old clothing is among a host of fund raising events organised throughout the year by The Fire Fighters Charity.

Martin Ockenden, station commander and charity coordinator, said: ?”The Fire Fighters Charity does fantastic work, so if you?re having a clear out in the New Year or have any unwanted clothes, please drop them off at one of our fire stations? textile banks.

“We’ve done brilliantly in previous years, and we?re hoping to do even better this year!”?

This year is the charity’s 75th anniversary and fire fighters have set themselves a massive ?£75,000 target.

The charity helps staff, whether they are injured, ill or in need of psychological support to come to terms with the life and death situations they face on a daily basis.

• Donations of adult and children’s clothing, socks and underwear, coats, paired shoes, handbags and linen are all welcomed.

Your nearest textile bank is here.