It’s a skill we hope they won’t have to use – but Havering’s firefighters are fully trained up in getting car crash victims safely out of their vehicles.

To make sure they knew their stuff, crews from Wennington, Hornchurch and Grays, Essex, joined forces to “rescue” two mannequins from a staged road accident in Fairview Industrial Estate, Rainham.

During the training exercise yesterday, the firefighters had to cut the roof off a car, fit neck braces, administer oxygen and lift the “victims” to safety.

Narinder Dail, manager of Wennington’s “white watch” team, said: “It was good we were able to work with Essex, as they’re on our border and it’s good to share ideas.

“There are times we work together so these training exercises allow us to practise. We have a look at their techniques as well as familiarising ourselves with our own.”