Updated: FIREFIGHTERS donned breathing apparatus to stage a training exercise at a York nightclub.

About 35 firefighters and five fire engines were involved in the simulated search and rescue mission, which saw The Gallery nightclub in Clifford Street filled with smoke.

Crews were told that people were missing in the club and then challenged to rescue them while contending with the conditions they would face if there was a fire on the ground floor.

Watch manager Kevin Caulfield said that previous training exercises have been carried out at The Gallery, but as it is currently closed for a refurbishment, crews were authorised to smash down some of the doors of the club during the exercise.