Members of the public will be able to have a glimpse into the work of the fire brigade next weekend.

The crew at Bridport Fire Station will be hosting an open day next week, an event they have put on for many years, so we’re sharing photos of past open days and the town’s fire brigade through the years.

Bridport Fire Station is opening its doors to the public on Saturday, September 7, with a day that promises something for everyone.

There will be a wide range of activities for the whole family, including learning about the dangers of cooking during a chip pan fire demonstration, as well as a look around the fire station to learn about the equipment and vehicles used.

Children can get their face painted, have a go at the crockery smash and bring along their teddy to send it down the teddy bear zipwire.

Nick Courtice, who manages Bridport Fire Station, said: “This is a great way for our local community to find out more about the local fire station.

“We would like to invite as many people as possible to come along to our open day, have a great time and leave with some vital fire and road safety messages.

“There’s even the chance to talk with the crews about what it is like to be an on-call firefighter and sign up to join us.”

Also coming to support the event are the police, coastguard - who will also be doing some demonstrations throughout the day - The Fire Fighters Charity, which will be selling a range of merchandise, and the vintage FireGround Coffee truck.

Bridport Fire Brigade was formed on September 28, 1896, with the first drill taking place that day at the Market House under the town hall, which is now the butchers.

In its first year it attended six fires. The crew reported inadequacies with the equipment and over the next three or four years there were discussions about buying a steamer. In 1902, the Merryweather fire engine was purchased for £400 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII.

It was the first fire engine for the town and was kept in a fire station behind the town hall in Bucky Doo Square, with the horses being kept at The Bull Hotel.

The horses were all commandeered by the army in 1916 and the pump was pulled by a Daimler car.

In 1926 a new motorised fire engine was purchased and the brigade was absorbed into national service during World War One, moving into the old police station on South Street, which is now the library, where the station stayed until 1996 before moving into its present premises on Sea Road.

Martin Cox of Highlands End has an impressive collection of fire service memorabilia on display at the holiday park near Eype, including Bridport’s historic Merryweather fire engine.

Mr Cox was one of the original four firemen who ‘rescued’ the 1902 Merryweather horse-drawn steam engine from the green outside The George pub in West Bay in the early 1980s.

It was in a bad state but was restored and housed in the town’s fire station until 1996 when the new fire station could not accommodate it. The engine was put into temporary storage at Beaminster Fire Station before arriving at Highlands End. It is owned by Bridport Museum.