FIREFIGHTERS from across the country could grab the number one spot in the Christmas charts after bookies slashed the odds of it becoming reality.

The group of 40 firefighters from across the country have come together in Birmingham to record their own version of Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas Time.

Under the name The Fire Tones, the single intends to raise money for the Firefighters Charity and the Band Aid Charity Trust.

The idea came from mid and west-Wales fire service veteran Chris Birdsell-Jones, who had appealed to fellow firefighters up and down the country to get involved.

He appeared with three other members of The Fire Tones on This Morning yesterday and said bookies had slashed odds on the tune making it to the top of the charts this Christmas.

To his surprise, more than 40 service personnel responded to offer their talents.

After Band Aid founder Bob Geldof gave them his formal blessings to use the song, they recorded their version in a single day.

The favourite spot for number one is Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next. To the group’s surprise, it looks like they could be in with a chance of knocking her off the top of the charts.

Over the past few days, bookies across Britain have cut the odds on the single being number one from 10/1 for Bet365 and William Hill, 11/1 with Paddy Power, and 12/1 for SkyBet.

“I’m over the moon to have worked with such a talented group of people, and I feel proud and honoured to have been involved with such a fantastic project,” Mr Birdsell-Jones told WalesOnline.

The single will be released next week on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon music.

Firefighters also intend to sell CDs, hoping to increase the amount of money they will earn for charity.