A former mayor of Biddulph is currently in a convoy of fire engines travelling to the Ukraine border to provide aid following the Russian invasion.

Chris Wood, who was Biddulph's mayor in 2017 and is also an ex-fireman, is in a convoy of donated fire engines and thousands of pieces of equipment on a three-day journey to Ukraine.

The 22 vehicles, which are made up of fire engines and trucks full of equipment, have been donated by fire services all over the country.

The convoy set off this morning and so far they have managed to cross the English Channel into France. They are then planning to drive through Germany and Poland before finally reaching the Polish border with Ukraine.

Chris updated Nub News today on his journey so far.

He said: "We travelled down to Kent last night and set off for Dover this morning.

"We have got all 22 fire engines on the same boat, so it must be the safest boat in the world!

"Hopefully we get through Calais ok and then make our way through Europe to Germany for an overnight stop at a fire station. Everybody is in good spirits."

The vehicles being donated to Ukraine have reached the end of their life in the UK but are still in good working order.

The convoy is thought to be the largest ever single donation of fire engines.

National Fire Chiefs Council chair Mark Hardingham said: "I cannot express how proud I am of everyone who has come together to support this; one of the largest convoys we have seen."

Claire Hoyland, project manager at Fire Aid, added: "Following the invasion of Ukraine, our members immediately mobilised to gather equipment and aid to donate to their Ukrainian counterparts."

We will be sure to keep updating you on their progress as they get closer to Ukraine so watch this space!