Its vintage fire engines may have retired from active duty.

But the Norfolk Fire Museum had to put one of its appliances back into action after a deluge of rainwater flooded its storage shed.

The Long Stratton site was hit by a flash flood that left it several inches under water following heavy downpours on Thursday (May 11).

Eastern Daily Press: A large amount of floodwater ran off from the nearby fields and into the storage shedA large amount of floodwater ran off from the nearby fields and into the storage shed (Image: Norfolk Fire Museum)

Volunteers quickly put a newly-acquired salvage tender to use and began pumping out the garage in order to prevent any damage.

Colin Farrington, a trustee at the museum said: "It was good to test the new kit out but the last thing we expected was to have to use it at our own premises.

"The water flooded in from the farmland and we were soon paddling in it so had to pump it out.

"The help of all the volunteers helped prevent any real damage."

Eastern Daily Press: Volunteers at the Norfolk Fire Museum helping to pump out floodwaterVolunteers at the Norfolk Fire Museum helping to pump out floodwater (Image: Norfolk Fire Museum)

The museum, which also has a site at Market Gates in Great Yarmouth, has a collection of restored appliances, which includes a horse-drawn engine dating back to the mid-1800s.

As well as being part of the collection, the salvage tender is intended to be used for the museum volunteers' work with the Norfolk Resilience Forum, a group set up to help with emergencies across the county.

Eastern Daily Press: It was the first time that the museum's new salvage tender was put to useIt was the first time that the museum's new salvage tender was put to use (Image: Norfolk Fire Museum)

Mr Farrington added: "This is something we are building on and plan to work more with the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service to offer support when needed. 

"Most of us are former firefighters ourselves so we know how to use the equipment and we were even called to assist during the wildfires last summer.

"Through the salvage tender, we now have the resources to help the public in the event of a flood and help people get back to normal as much as possible."

If the team's heroics have inspired you, Norfolk Fire Museum is always on the lookout for new volunteers interested in training to help with emergencies or to assist in maintaining its many vintage vehicles.