FIREFIGHTERS reached new heights as they scaled a rollercoaster on Southend seafront.

They took to the heights of the newest and fastest ride at Adventure Island - the Rage rollercoaster -to test the rescue procedures if anyone was trapped in the car at the top of the ride.

Technicians simulated a breakdown on the ride with staff from the park acting the part of the trapped punters.

Martyn Hodder, Southend station commander, described it as a "very useful exercise."

He said: "As a seaside fire station we occasionally have to deal with situations like this and it's great to get a chance to practice and test our procedures like this."

Once the exercise was complete it was playtime as crews queued up to take a turn on the ride which had just been the scene of a full scale rescue exercise.