FIREFIGHTER Andrew Smallwood enjoys nothing more than hanging upside down, clinging on by his fingertips.

But competing alongside 5,000 colleagues from around the globe is something new to the 34-year-old, from Kidlington.

He has signed up for the indoor climbing event at the 10th World Firefighter Games in August, which this year take place in Liverpool.

He said: "My partner Angela is very supportive. She is used to me doing this sort of thing - it involves a lot of training.

"I am nervous and not quite at a high enough level yet, but I am excited because it's something I have never done before."

Mr Smallwood, who lives in Sterling Close, has been a firefighter in Kidlington and Oxford for ten years.

Last year he ran the London Marathon, raising £3,000 for the Silver Star Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The World Firefighter Games come around every other year. Two years ago they were held in Hong Kong and before that in Sheffield.

Competitors take part in more than 70 events, including boxing, golf, fishing, chess and arm wrestling.

They also take part in the prestigious Toughest Firefighter Alive competition, which tests firefighters' strength and stamina to the very limit.

The challenge involves a hose drag, obstacle course, weight carrying and a 450ft stair climb.

Mr Smallwood is training four times a week at the Oxford Brookes University Sports Centre, following an offer of free membership.

And he has already suffered minor injuries to his fingers.

He said: "You need a mixture of strength and endurance - and finger strength. I have suffered a couple of tendon pulls on my fingers, but nothing too serious.

"I am climbing the best I ever have at the moment. It's all going quite well and I'm quietly confident."

The 15-metre indoor climb at the games is a knock-out competition. With each level competitors successfully pass, the climb gets steeper and the finger holes further apart.

Mr Smallwood, who has been climbing for fun for about ten years, has entered the 'elite' level for the 30+ age group.

"It's a technical climb and it's going on all day, so I will take plenty of energy drinks," he said.