Firefighters in Sudbury will become “fire frighteners” just for one night - and all in a good cause.

Many of the station’s on-call firefighters, who were involved in tackling the huge blaze which swept through historic buildings in Friars Street just over a month ago, are organising a Halloween party to raise money for the 20 people who lost their homes in the fire.

So far across the town as a whole, more than £9,000 has been donated to the community fund set up by the town council.

And now the local fire crew hopes to boost that total by at least another £2,000 via the ghoulish event, which will take place at the fire station in Gregory Street on Friday, October 30.

Andy Message, a full time watch commander at Ipswich Fire Station and an on-call crew commander in Sudbury, said: “The fire was so local and personal to the guys who attended - they felt they wanted to give something back and show some support for the community.

“We came up with the idea of a Halloween party because we thought it would be a bit of lighthearted fun after everything that’s happened.

“We are really pleased that the fire service has given us permission to hold the event and we are hoping we can get the station filled and raise a good amount of money for the people who lost everything in the fire.”

The evening will include prizes for the ‘most imaginative scary Halloween costume’, real ale donated by Mauldons and an auction of donated items and experiences. These range from a golf day for two at Newton Green including a lesson and lunch, to a special ‘firefighter for the day’ experience where the lucky winner will get to ride in an aerial appliance. There are also four tickets up for grabs for the Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon.

Other prizes have been donated by Jimmy’s Farm, Lloyds and Nat West banks.

Mr Message added: “A lot of the guys who were working the night of the fire will be there manning the bar and serving drinks so it will be a great opportunity for people to come along, ask questions and talk to us about our recruitment drive.”

The party is from 8pm to midnight, there will be a disco and hot food will be available. Tickets are £10 each and are available from Sudbury Tesco, Sudbury fire station on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm or by emailing andrew.message@suffolk.gov.uk