Fire crews are testing new equipment in order to better tackle blazes in hard to reach areas.

Epping fire station has been using a vehicle know as a Rescuemax and testing its capability for off-road firefighting as part of a pilot scheme by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

The service is already using the vehicles to assist in flood prevention work, such as clearing ditches, and in supporting at road crashes by removing vegetation and branches from roads.

The three other Rescuemax vehicles used in other districts have helped through winter clearing snow and spreading salt which the fires service has previously been unable to do.

During summer the vehicles will be deployed to provide additional resources and specialist capabilities when responding to woodland and grass fires.

The vehicles can be adapted with different attachments depending on the job it is required to do.