Built in the 1950's for the Auxilliary Fire Service (AFS), a civillian volunteer service set up to fight fires in the event of a nuclear attack. There were 1000 based around the UK. When the AFS was disbanded in 1968 they were put into storage for use in floods or strikes. During the 2002/2003 firemens strike when they were once again pressed into service, its the only time I've seen a fire engine with blue lights flashing and a queue of traffic behind it, no surprise with a top speed of 45mph.
