Royal Navy sailors have donated more than 600 metres of old fire hoses to help two animal charities in Cornwall.

The old kit from the airfield at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose was handed over to Newquay Zoo and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek on Wednesday, October 27.

Rather than being thrown into landfill, the rubber hoses can be reused and shredded into hard-wearing material for bedding or toys.

Falmouth Packet: Staff at Newquay Zoo taking delivery of the old fire hoses from aircraft handlers Able Rate Emma Tatnell and Able Rate Scott MorleyStaff at Newquay Zoo taking delivery of the old fire hoses from aircraft handlers Able Rate Emma Tatnell and Able Rate Scott Morley

In the seal sanctuary, strips of rubber are attached to floats to hang in the water like seaweed.

Falmouth Packet: Ben Fowler from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary takes the time to show Able Rate Emma Tatnell some of the animalsBen Fowler from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary takes the time to show Able Rate Emma Tatnell some of the animals

It was personnel at the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations that came up with the idea.

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The school trains all the navy’s aircraft handlers how to operate on flight decks, including emergency rescue and firefighting.

Falmouth Packet: Aircraft handlers able rates Emma Tatnell and Scott Morley with seal care team supervisor Ben FowlerAircraft handlers able rates Emma Tatnell and Scott Morley with seal care team supervisor Ben Fowler

Able rate Emma Tatnell said: "I often think that we sign up to protect the nation, but we also need to protect the environment as well.

"I heard about zoos using old rubber hoses and thought it would be a brilliant way to recycle our old hoses that are no longer usable, rather than see them go into landfill.

Falmouth Packet: The Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations donated old fire hoses to Newquay Zoo and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary for use as bedding and toys for the animals. The Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations donated old fire hoses to Newquay Zoo and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary for use as bedding and toys for the animals.

"I’ve seen how they can use them for bedding or making into rubber balls or for climbing.

"It’s also great to help these charities save a little money – which are local to us in Cornwall and must have faced a tough time through the pandemic.

"They were both delighted at our donations."

Ben, who is part of the Animal Care Team at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said: "At the Cornish Seal Sanctuary we pride ourselves on our focus on protecting the environment.

"For this reason we encourage people to reuse items rather than throw them away.

Falmouth Packet: Able Rate Emma Tatnell gets to see some of the residents at the Cornish Seal SanctuaryAble Rate Emma Tatnell gets to see some of the residents at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary

"With this in mind, we have partnered with RNAS Culdrose to help reuse their surplus and unwanted fire hose.

"We were delighted to receive this hose as it is the perfect material for us to create new and interesting enrichment devices for our seals.

Falmouth Packet: Aircraft handlers able rates Emma Tatnell and Scott Morley with seal care team supervisor Ben FowlerAircraft handlers able rates Emma Tatnell and Scott Morley with seal care team supervisor Ben Fowler

"Next time you are visiting us, see if you can spot the seals playing with their fire hose toys (Pumpkin particularly enjoys his fire hose hammock!)"