A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy’s dreams of being like his hero Fireman Sam came true when he was invited to be an honorary fireman.

Firefighters heard Michael Collins, known as Junior, was celebrating his fourth birthday and they were keen to make it a day to remember.

He was invited to spend the day at Bolton Central fire station, in Moor Lane, to see the fire engines and the equipment in use.

His dad Michael Collins, a 28-year-old financial adviser, from Daisy Hill, said: “My wife Lyndsay sent an email saying it was Junior’s birthday and he was fire crazy, and asked if there were any open days coming up that she could take him to.

“She got a reply to say Bolton crews would organise a visit to the fire station because there were no open days coming up — we were over the moon.

“The crew did absolutely everything for him. Junior loved it.”

Junior, who attends Castle Fold Day Nursery, has been obsessed with fire engines and firefighters since the age of one. He wears a firefighter’s uniform around the house every day, has about 25 fire engine toys and Fireman Sam is his favourite TV programme.

Junior was given a tour of the station and a ride in the fire engine, and was also able to climb ladders and use a hose. He is now more determined to become a firefighter.

Watch manager Karsten Boyle said: “He arrived suitably dressed in his own fire gear and from start to finish he had a permanent grin on his face.”