Firefighters in Essex will soon be training their Chinese counterparts after winning a contract worth more than £100,000.

Following a sponsored trip to China, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service will train 15 members of the Chinese public sector in urban search and rescue, fire signs and incident command techniques.

The partnership could save lives as well as making money for the service, which will be spent on services in Essex.

The original trip had received some criticism after it was funded by fire service supplier E2V but Paul Hill, assistant chief fire officer for safer communities, said without spending a penny Essex taxpayers will now reap the benefits.