A fire engine built in Worcester in the 1980s has found a new lease of life on the other side of the world.

The vehicle was originally built at the old Carmichael Fire factory in Gregory’s Mill Street in Barbourne on behalf of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.

After service in Cumbria it was used for fire and safety work at Chapelcross Power Station, a since-decommissioned nuclear power station in southwest Scotland.

Now, thanks to the work of an emergency services charity, the appliance is helping to save lives in Potrero De Los Funes, a village popular with tourists near the city of San Luis in Argentina.

Stuart Brandrick, who used to work for Carmichael, says the fact the fire engine is now having a third life in Argentina suggests it was built to last.

“At the time the vehicle was new I was working for Carmichael, managing contracts and liaising with customers,” he said. “I can remember the batch of vehicles of which it was part going through the factory.

“It is based on a Volvo truck chassis with fire fighting equipment and bodywork fitted by Carmichael.

“Carmichael Fire was one division of privately-owned Carmichael Fire and Bulk Ltd, with the other part of the business manufacturing tanker vehicles for the transport of bulk powders at a factory in Weir Lane, Lower Wick.”

The Weir Lane factory closed in 2018 when the company, then known as CSS Fire Vehicles, went into liquidation. The historic company had built the first fire engine for Worcester Fire Brigade in 1947.

Mr Brandrick, who worked in the public sector after leaving Carmichael and is now retired, said he had “happy memories of working with a good bunch of people” at Carmichael.

The fire engine was donated by Chapelcross Power Station to the International Fire & Rescue Assocation (IFRA), a Scottish charity that supports emergency services around the world with equipment and training.

Gary Johnstone, a director at IFRA and the support co-ordinator for Argentina, said the appliance responded to the Lockerbie bombing.

He added: “The process of getting donations overseas starts with an approach from the country.

“We then carry out a check on the receiving station to ensure they do need what they are asking for. In Argentina we work with a charitable foundation called Bomberos Ayudemos A Servir (Firefighters Let’s Help Serve), who assist us with distribution in Argentina.

“Once we receive a donation such as a fire engine, we check and service the vehicle, equip it with as much equipment as possible and arrange documentation and shipping, which to South America can take about 4-6 weeks.”