IT will be all hands to the pumps at York Fire Station when a beer festival takes place among the engines.

To boost force morale the station's sports and social club has organised a festival of ale to take place on Saturday, July 29 at 7pm.

Jim Dawes, secretary of the social club and a firefighting ale lover, is hoping the public event will raise enough money to re-cloth the snooker table and buy a television for the firemen.

A percentage of the profits will go towards the firefighters' benevolent fund and the balance will be donated to the Evening Press Hospice Appeal.

"We could all do with a morale boost," said Jim, who would like to assure the people of York that it will be service as normal at the station for those firefighters who are on duty.

"And there is no better way of doing that than a beer festival."

A barbecue will also take place at the Clifford Street station, and there will be a comedian as well as wine and soft drinks.

Tickets for the event are £6, which includes five tasting tokens for the range of ten local beers, and food.

Corporate sponsorship is also available and costs £20, which includes two tickets for the event which is taking place in the appliance room - all the fire engines will be out of the way and ready to roll in case of fire.