When Sharon Sharman bought two fire engines for her entertainments firm, she never expected to have to send them to an emergency.

But the vehicles - more likely to be seen transporting cackling women on hen nights - were dispatched to save a shoal of fish which were suffocating in the late summer sun.

The recent warm weather has led to a film of algae covering the Championship Match lake in Borde Hill Gardens, near Haywards Heath - much to the anxiety of the dozens of carp which it houses.

So staff called in Fire Engine Fun, which uses its two fire engines to transport party-goers around Sussex.

Manager Sharon Sharman of Horsham Road, Handcross, said: "I was stunned to get the call from them.

"They knew they needed to get water squirting into the lake to get the oxygen moving and thought of us but it was our first emergency call.

"It was quick thinking on their part and it worked.

"We were there for three hours. Obviously, the fish were in danger so we kept the pumps running.

"We used the engine to suck water out of the lake and spray it back in, putting air into the lake with bubbles and saving the fish.

"We were able to have three hoses going at the same time. They said it could have been pretty disastrous without us."

"We were only too eager to help. It was great. Saving fish made a nice change from kids' parties and hen nights."

A fire engine was used to pump water in the three-acre lake for three hours on Monday.

A Borde Hill spokesman said: "The fish were all gasping for breath and we knew we had to get the lake aerated.

"Fishing plays an integral part of Borde Hill and we much appreciated the fact they could help us."

Sharon works part-time for the fire brigade in Lambeth HQ, London, and bought the two engines for £10,000.

Although her company is not licensed to be drive by genuine firefighters and attend real emergencies, the engines have stopped to assist residents in danger in the past In one incident, a driver helped put a car fire out after taking students to their annual college ball. In another, after dropping off a hen party, a driver helped police avert a possible suicide.

Sharon, whose husband David is also a firefighter, added: "Kids love fire engines and, obviously, firemen are very popular with hen parties but the primary reason for me was more flexible hours so I would have more time for my children."

For more details on Fire Engine Fun, visit www.fireenginefun.co.uk