Safety lessons were dished out by schoolchildren as they took over Oxford’s main Rewley Road Fire Station for a day.

The event was part of Eleven Million Takeover Day, where schoolchildren across the country take over at a range of workplaces.

Sixteen children from Eynsham Primary School switched roles with firefighters, St John Ambulance staff, police officers and other professionals to lead a group of adults through the Junior Citizen’s programme, which is usually used to teach children the dangers of various places such as the railway, the roads and the home.

Firefighter Pete Savage, community safety officer, said: “Normally, we only get one shot with the child to put the message across, but because they are having to do this over and over again, they will be more likely to retain the message.

“Who knows? That information might help save someone’s life one day.”

The Junior Citizen’s programme is a partnership between Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue, St John Ambulance, Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Playbus and Chiltern Railways.

The youngsters taught the programme to senior fire staff, county councillors and Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel.

Rob McAree, 10, from Eynsham, said: “I think you can quite easily forget the safety messages, so it is good the grown-ups get a reminder.”

Matthew Robinson, also 10 and from Eynsham, said: “It was quite exciting. I think it’s quite important to spread the message.”

The children had already gone through the Junior Citizen’s programme earlier in the year and pupils were invited back after impressing the staff.

Year Six teacher Thomas Prentice said: “I was surprised by how much they knew.

“They are very streetwise children.

“When they went round before, our kids realised what to do in the different situations and were very confident.”

About 6,000 Oxfordshire children have been through the programme this year.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk