A specialist rope rescue team from Trowbridge Fire Station joined in a Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service exercise at Salisbury Cathedral last week.

A fire engine and aerial appliance from Salisbury, a fire engine from Wilton and the rope rescue team took part in the exercise, which was organised by Watch manager Lee Glyde in collaboration with staff at the Cathedral.

The scenario saw someone needing to be rescued from inside the spire – and the casualty was lowered through the tower and across the roof space to the building’s west front, where she was placed onto the aerial appliance and taken safely to the ground.

Watch manager Glyde, from Salisbury Green Watch, said: “Given the high number of tourists and visitors to the Cathedral each year, there is every possibility that someone could be taken ill during a tour of the tower areas and therefore need rescuing.

"The success of this exercise, both in its planning and execution, assures both the Service and the Cathedral’s staff that a rescue of this nature can be safely achieved if need be.”

Richard Wood, Director of Programmes and Projects at Salisbury Cathedral, added: “We were delighted to have this live exercise staged in realistic conditions. Our shop manager, Helen Russell, acted as the injured party to help ensure we are able to deal with the situation should it ever arise.”