SPECIALIST search and rescue firefighters in Essex have been handed a grant of more than £50,000 for training and specialist equipment.

Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda announced an additional £3.2million grant to England's fire and rescue services. After being divided among all fire authorities, Essex received £54,375.

The money is intended to provide training to use specialist decontamination equipment, as well as additional protective clothing to be worn during work on collapsed buildings.

The equipment is held by 46 search and rescue teams, including one near Colchester.

The teams all use the same equipment, so they can provide extra manpower at a scene without needing to bring their own equipment.

The resources include mass decontamination units, equipment to detect, identify and monitor chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear substances, rescue equipment for use in collapsed buildings, and high-volume pumps for use in floods.