PROVOST Martin Brennan will turn firefighter for a day to take part in a spectacular vintage engine parade which will feature 20 different historic tenders.

The fire festival takes place on August 19 and a procession will leave Greenock Fire Station to Cathcart Square.

The festival is in its third year and it is traditional that the Provost rides on the first engine.

Provost Brennan said: “I had a brief tour of the fire museum about a year ago and I found it really fascinating.

“You can imagine what it was like back in 1901 with horse-drawn fire tenders and I found out that in 1910 Greenock got its first petrol driven fire tender, similar to the one I’m sitting in.

“I also saw another engine dating back to the 1950s and I remembered engines looking like that and not like the streamlined models of today.

“I’m looking forward to taking part in the parade.”

Dave Adam, chair of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heritage Trust, said: “The festival has become a very popular event.

“It’s good family day out. We should have around 20 vehicles from across the years and fire rescue demonstrations.”

The trust with the help of volunteers who run the fire museum which has gone from strength to strength.

The group have been busy restoring a 1961 Western area hose reel engine and are appealing for a sponsor to help to respray it.

They are also on the look-out for volunteers.

One of the more unusual exhibits in the museum is that of famous Glasgow fire dog – golden retriever Wallace who used to run in front of the horses when the fire brigade turned out.

The dog passed away in 1902 and when he died, firemen paid for him to be embalmed and placed in a glass case.

John Cairns, secretary of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heritage Trust, said: “We have produced a couple of books for children about Wallace which will be on sale.

“Inverclyde Council have agreed to match that to help with funds.”