THE first time members of the public have been invited in to the new £1.9 million Kinver Community Fire Station has been marked with the burial of a time capsule.

Prior to an open day where Kinver residents and local people could take a look around the new station, a capsule containing photographs and crew biographies was buried.

Selected children from local schools were also invited to place pictures, comments and artefacts into the capsule which will be dug up again in 25 years time.

Artwork by eight pupils from Foley Infants School and eight pupils from Brindley Heath Junior School was included after the children entered a competition to create a picture to show what Kinver Community Fire Station means to them.

Young people from Edgecliff High School also contributed to the time capsule along with children from local nurseries.

Kinver Station Manager Derek Stoddart said: “The time capsule burial marks a milestone in the past, present and future of Kinver Community Fire Station.

“We’ve been running a competition with the schools in Kinver for pupils to explain what the fire service means to them.

“The best eight responses from students were put into the time capsule.

“In 25 years time we will dig it up and display what was in it. Hopefully those pupils can visit and have a good laugh at the things they created when they were young.”