FIVE teenagers 'took control' of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters for the day.

The pupils from St Bede's High School, Blackburn, spent the day telling fire officers at the Fulwood site what to do to improve their service.

The event was part of the 11 Million Takeover Day.

Across the country, yesterday's event saw 11 million children infiltrate businesses and organisations yesterday to provide fresh ideas and give their perspectives.

Callum Boulton, 16, of Nares Road, Daisy Boulton, 16, of Nares Road, Rebecca Fishwick, 15, of St Michael's Close, Daniel Loxham, 16, of Feniscliffe Drive, and Kieron Rouke, 15, of Hillcrest Road, all Blackburn, were selected from pupils from across the county to give their advice and views on the fire service.

They discussed contentious issues such as charging pet owners to rescue animals and moving obese people from room to room, learnt how the emergency control room operates and toured the mobile fire station in a bid to offer adviCe to improve the fire services 2008/09 action plan.

The fire service ran a competition, the Bright Sparx High School Challenge, where students could win the oppor-tunity to learn how the service works by planning a lesson and teaching year nine pupils about fire safety.

Callum, Daisy, Rebecca, Daniel and Kieron won the opportunity after competing against pupils from across the country in producing a lesson on fire safety based on a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire style quiz.

Daniel Loxham said: "Usually we never get the chance to put our ideas forward but the fire service have given us a chance to make our voices heard."

Daisy Boulton said: "It was good because we know more than we did before and more than we would learn in a lesson.

"And we can help young people and even my parents understand what firefighters do."

Rebecca said: "It has been good because a lot of people think young people are up to no good.But this shows that some of us have a view."

Chris Kenny, assistant chief fire officer, said: "We listened to their views on a strategic level to inform fire safety initatives.

"The service is engaging with young people in particular.

"The was the first 11 million Take Over day and we would look forward to doing it again in the future."