FIREFIGHTERS will be holding a car wash tomorrow in memory of Alan Bannon and James Shears killed in the Shirley Towers fire.

The event was already arranged to help contribute to a fundraising expedition retracing the footsteps of the Cockleshell heroes, who left Hampshire in 1942 charged with destroying German ships in the French port of Bordeaux.

Cash will now by split between the expedition, which is raising money for Help for Heroes, and the James Shears and Alan Bannon Memorial Fund.

Numerous events are being held in memory of dad-of-one Alan, 38, from Bitterne, and dad-of-two James, 35, from Poole.

Both worked on Red Watch at St Mary's fire station.

Paul Coates, Fareham station manager, who is involved in the Cockleshell heroes event and was part of the team who battled the Shirley Towers, said: "We are absolutely overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the public and wanted to do something ourselves."

The event will take place at Fareham Fire Station between 10am and 4pm.