A team of firefighters from Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service will tow a fire engine today, July 31, at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo to raise money for charity.

Firefighters will pull the engine around the zoo grounds five times, a total of 10km, in the hope of raising more than £10,000 for The Firefighters Charity, which helps injured firefighters and their families; The Burned Children's Club, which supports young burn survivors; and The Zoological Society of London, a charity devoted to worldwide conservation.

One of the team that has organised the event is Dunstable Firefighter Haydon Littlewood. She said: "We are attempting to pull a ten tonne fire engine for ten kilometres, something I don't think has been done before.

"It would be difficult to do this on public roads so we approached the zoo who have been great and allowed us to use their internal road network."

A specially adapted ten person harness will be used and 20 off duty firefighters will pull the pump in shifts.

Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/pullapump.

Zoological director for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, David Field said: "We're really looking forward to seeing the firefighters take on this challenge at the Zoo – I'm sure the chimps and elephants will be fascinated when the fire engine is towed passed their enclosures!

"We're really pleased that they've chosen to use the event to raise money for the vital work of the society – we wish them the best of luck."