Lovell helped out Newmarket Community Fire Brigade by allowing fire crews to carry out rooftop training exercises at empty homes in the town which are set to be demolished.

Lovell is building new affordable homes for Flagship Kings' Forest, part of Flagship Housing Group, at Charles Close, Newmarket, in place of 20 existing properties. The company let firefighters based at the local fire station in Willie Snaith Road use some of the empty properties earmarked for demolition to practice some dramatic rescue procedures.

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The exercises included a simulated rooftop rescue where firefighters used roof ladders and harnesses to 'save' a person trapped on top of a house.

"It's essential that firefighters have the chance to train in realistic conditions," said Lovell regional director Simon Medler. "When the fire brigade asked if they could use the empty homes we are going to be demolishing at Charles Close for these exercises, we were delighted to help out."

At Charles Close, Lovell will demolish 20 existing properties to make way for a £2.2 million, 27-home development of one-bedroom flats, two-bedroom bungalows, and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, which will all be available for affordable rent.

Lovell is also carrying out external refurbishments at seven properties as part of the project. Work is anticipated to start early in the New Year.

(CD)