Greatest threat to a fireman's health? No, not tackling blazes and saving lives - its volleyball

A list of injuries reported to Health and Safety officials for one county's firemen shows that more than one in three were sustained in the gym or on the sportsfield.

Of 73 incidents disclosed by Essex County Fire & Rescue Service last year, 17 took place while fighting fires or rescuing members of the public.

However, 25 involved exercise, with group games of volleyball particularly hazardous and blamed for eight injuries.

Crews from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service take time off from a hazardous game of volleyball to tackle a fire that broke out in a row of thatched cottages

The report shows that a fireman broke his neck and left shoulder playing football, while a five-a-side game ended with a man with broken ribs.

Another hurt his hand after tripping over an exercise mat and a second injured his back on a rowing machine.

Officers rushing to answer their pagers led to four injuries, including one officer falling from a kerb.

The figures released under the Freedom of Information Act also reveal that a fireman strained his lower back while carrying a ladder during a cat rescue last summer.

The service, which employs 1,490 firemen, said exercise helped keep staff in shape to respond to call outs and reinforced the teamwork ethic which was so important to their work.

David Johnson, Essex's Chief Fire Officer, added: 'We recognise that there are risks to these types of activity and we are constantly looking for ways to reduce the number of injuries - balanced against the recognised benefits.'