FIREFIFGHTERS in Ramsgate are gearing up for a series of events this month to celebrate 100 years since the station opened.

On the actual day of the centenary - Monday October 17 - the celebrations will start with a special meal for staff that have, or are currently serving, at Ramsgate.

The food, paid for by the staff themselves, will be based on the opening ceremony meal held 100 years to the day using the same menu and format.

During the week running up to that event, the fire station will be open as a living museum to children from Ramsgate schools. Rooms within the station will depict different eras of the last 100 years, displaying uniforms, artefacts and stories of the time. The station also hopes to have historic fire appliances parked in the station yard.

On Saturday, October 15, the station will be open to invited guests and on Sunday |October 16 from 10am it will be open to the public. Entry will be free but it is requested that all children are accompanied.

The station has also commissioned a centenary mug available at a cost of £4. All proceeds will be donated to the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.