FIREFIGHTERS from Eynsham are limbering up for a rowing challenge – on dry land.

As part of their training regime for the so-called Tough Mudder event later this year, they are taking part in a charity challenge in the village square on Saturday, January 30, rowing a total of 36.5km on a gym machine.

It is the first of a series of training and fundraising events ahead of August, when the team of 14 will travel to Cirencester for the 12-mile extreme obstacle course that includes braving everything from electricity to tear gas and plunging into ice-cold water.

During their 2016 health drive, they are also participating in Dry January as part of a challenge from Oxfordshire County Council’s public health department and have not touched a drop of alcohol since New Year.

Firefighter Stuart Smith said: “We are a determined bunch and nobody’s going to let us down. There has been a bit of banter at the station with people asking ‘can I have wine gums and steak and ale pie?’but everybody is on it.”

Cash raised at the rowing event will be split between Cancer Research UK, Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House Hospice and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Visit justgiving.com/Eynsham-Firefighter2/