IT’S out with the old and in with the new at the county’s fire service.

Gone are the traditional dark blue firefighters’ uniforms with bright yellow helmets and in are bright gold suits with black and white headgear.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service gave its firefighters their new kit yesterday.

The new uniform, which offers better protection, includes a fire helmet, an anti-flash hood, gloves, a tunic, leggings and boots. Crews at Rewley Road fire station are pictured testing the new uniforms out during an exercise.

Dave Bray, station manager at Rewley Road, said: “We are very pleased. They are nice and comfortable.

“It certainly represents the latest technology available within firefighting.”

The uniform is being leased for the next eight years at a cost of £250,000 per year from Lion Apparel Systems UK and the money comes from the fire service’s existing budget for protective equipment.

Fire service spokesman Gemma Watts said: “Other contracts were explored by the service, but these could have cost in the region of £100,000 more per year. The new contract provides the best value for money in the current market.”

Old uniforms will be recycled by an approved Government company. The change has already been made in a number of other services, including Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Picture: OX52101 Richard Cave