In a special festive episode of BBC's The Repair Shop, members of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service made a special appearance, giving the station's Rudolph a new lease of life.

Appearing on a special Christmas episode called The Repair Shop at Christmas, station manager Darren and retired station manager Jerry bought Rudolph to the shed for some much-needed care.

Rudolph before the repairs (Photo: Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service)

Every Christmas, Rudolph is used by the service to raise money for local children's charities, usually managing to raise about £10,000 annually.

In 1949, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service set up the Rudolph fund, with the first Rudolph doing the job until 1978.

The service the approached a company who design props and models for film sets and asked them to create a new animated reindeer. That Rudolph can blink has been carrying out the Rudolph fund duties ever since.

Rudolph appeared at the repair shop with dull, mix-matched fur, the bulb that lights up his nose not working and some of his movements unable to be done.

Rudolph after visiting The Repair Shop (Photo: Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service)

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When the work on Rudolph was revealed to Darren and Jerry, Jerry said: 'Wow, that's bought be right back to 1978.'

Darren said: 'I had no idea he was going to look so realistic again. The fur looks great!'

With the ears mended, internal mechanics fixed and a new fur coat and leather harness created for Rudolph, children marvelled at the reindeer.

Now, Rudolph can be back to work raising money for the Rudolph Fund with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service.

Click here to view the full episode.