Oakham firefighters teamed up with the community to rescue a resident in need at the weekend in a wonderful show of festive goodwill.

Big-hearted firefighters at Oakham Fire Station issued a Facebook appeal on Friday (7 Dec) in the hope of tracking down a replacement washing machine for a local resident whose machine had been destroyed in a blaze that morning.

Thanks to more than 220 shares, the Facebook message had a reach of almost 27,000 and resulted in numerous offers of help.

Firefighter Matt Basey told Oakham Nub News: "We put a shout out via Facebook on Friday lunchtime asking the local community if they could help the gentleman, who was in his 30s, find a replacement.

"Within hours, we were inundated with offers of help.

"The response was incredible.

"We were absolutely delighted but, knowing the generosity of the community we serve, it was not surprising.

"It's at times like these we realise how many fantastic people there are out there.

"We had five-plus offers of second-hand washing machines and even private messages from someone offering to buy him a new one and another willing to contribute £100 toward a new machine.

"The most logistically straightforward was an offer of a used machine from a lady in Uppingham whose grandma had bought her a new one."

'Logistically straightforward' still meant a considerable effort by Firefighter Basey and his colleague Firefighter Ant Smith.

The pair borrowed the station's Leicestershire Fire and Resuce Service van to pick up the new washing machine from the grandma in Oakam and drove it to the generous washing machine donor's home in Uppingham and plumbed it in for her.

Then they took the good-as-new one back to Oakham - lugged it up a flight of stairs to the recipient's flat - and then plumbed in for him.

"It was definitely worth the effort, he was over the moon and very emotional and grateful," added Firefighter Basey.

Thanks to the tremendous response to their appeal, firefighters at the Oakham station now intend to try to do more good deeds - with the help of the community.

"With such amazing community support, we realised that as a service we could be doing more to help.

"When suitable circumstances arise, we intend asking for help for other people in need."