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Jason Barnes, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, checks the condition of the water tower at the old Park Prewett hospital site, now Limes Park

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a landmark Basingstoke building - not to put out a blaze, but to help workmen reach the top of one of the tallest structures in town.

In preparation to convert the old water tower within the new Limes Park housing development into apartments, Thomas Homes, which is developing the old Park Prewett hospital site, needed to check the condition of the stonework on the top of the tower - some 200 feet up.

As the tower is far taller than any of the workmen's own ladders, the developer called in the assistance of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, whose staff were able to combine a useful training exercise with helping Thomas Homes carry out the study.

Sean Ratcliffe, from Basingstoke fire station, said: "The station's aerial ladder platform enables us to deal with incidents at height or those with difficult access. The water tower has provided an excellent operational training facility for us."

Jamie Wadsworth, contracts manager for Thomas Homes at Limes Park, said: "The view from the top of the tower is truly amazing.

"I needed to study the stonework at the top of the tower and this is the best way to do it. The fire service team was very helpful and seemed to enjoy the exercise.

"I managed to do my job in one morning instead of waiting about three days for scaffolding. I hope they will come back to do some more training - before the tower is occupied, of course."

10:02am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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