A GOVERNMENT minister took a ride on a Ledbury fire engine on Saturday.

Christopher Leslie MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, had dropped by to meet Ledbury's retained firefighters.

He was accompanied by David O'Dwyer, chief fire officer for Hereford and Worcester, and spent around 45 minutes with the crew.

Terry Phillips, sub-officer for the Ledbury division, said Mr Leslie introduced himself to the eleven crew members who turned out to meet him.

He said the minister was "very approachable".

"He wanted to know how the station operated, and we explained," he said.