ISLANDERS looked on in bemusement today as ‘demonstrators’ scaled the Jersey Eye and unveiled a giant banner.

But it wasn’t the work of a protest group – it was a publicity stunt by the Fire and Rescue Service to highlight the Make a Plan campaign and to encourage residents to check their smoke alarms.

Two firefighters posing as protestors climbed half way up the wheel at about 7.45 am and unveiled the banner which displayed messages urging Islanders to fit smoke alarms and make a fire escape plan. And if that wasn’t clear enough, the firefighters then proceeded to shout at passers-by to tell them to take heed of their signs.

An hour and a half later, 11 of their colleagues arrived on the scene and carried out a staged rescue. Two firefighters scaled the wheel and lowered one ‘protester’ to the ground using a rescue line. The other was brought down a ladder. Martyn Maguire, director of safer communities for the Fire and Rescue Service, said that the stunt was aimed at improving fire safety and highlighting the Make a Plan campaign.

The campaign was launched last month by the JEP and the Fire and Rescue Service to encourage Islanders to fit smoke alarms and make a fire escape plan.

• Phone the Fire and Rescue Service on 445967 to request a home fire safety visit.