Picture special of Boxing Day Squirt as village volunteers battle firefighters across Geddington Ford near Kettering

The annual squirt between two teams uses high pressure hoses to squirt a barrel slung on a cable over the River Ise in the best of five rounds.

Teams were greeted by guest of honour Rosie Wrighting MP for Kettering before the crowd were treated to stirring renditions of Christmas songs.

Action across the River Ise saw confusion over the third ‘bout’ that saw the adjudicator and ‘Captain of the Drill’ initially disallowing the win for Geddington due to suspicions of a ‘premature hose raise’. NFRS had won the first two rounds. GVFB then proceeded to win the next three and thought they had secured victory.

A spokesman for GVFB said: “However, in the interests of sportsmanship (and possibly favours) Captain of the Drill then changed his mind, reinstated the voided one and passed the victory back to Northants Fire and Rescue. “Congratulations to them and a huge thanks to everyone who came out to support. Thanks also the support team, working hard on the burger stall to keep the crowd replete.”