Firefighters at Slough became the proud models of their national rugby team's new kit on Wednesday.

It marked the launch of the 2018 England Fire Service's Rugby 7's tournaments and the specially designed kit had been sponsored by the loss assessment company Morgan Clark.

Phil Morgan, chairman of the company, came down specially to wish the Slough crew well - and revealed two good reasons for doing so.

He said: "We deal with the immediate aftermath of fires and see the great work the fire crews do to extinguish fires, save lives and save properties.

"We are the next stage in helping the people affected. There’s a synergy there and if we are going to support any service it seems appropriate for us to support the fire service. It is an added privilege for me to be here today as I spent my youth playing for Slough Rugby Club.”

Steve Leonard, manager and coach of England Fire Service Rugby, also came along to witness the debut of the new kit - and who better to model it than Slough firefighters Norman Rogerson, Arran Taylor-Ives and Jim Lutman who all play.

England Fire Service Rugby has been running a side for more than 30 years. In 2017 it relaunched both the 15 a side and 7 a side teams.

The squad is made up of firefighters and support staff from all fire services across England including airport and RAF fire service staff.