Firefighters proved it was a real family affair when they helped officers from the Metropolitan Police to "do" their dirty laundry.
The London police officers were in Bolton as part of the Olympic Torch parade route security.
They were staying overnight but needed somewhere to wash the grey T-shirts and shorts they were wearing when they ran alongside the Torch bearers.
They were staying at the Reebok Stadium for the night before the Torch relay picked up again in Horwich the next morning.
Firefighter Phil Baugh, from Horwich Fire Station Blue Watch, said: "One of the officers knocked on the door of the station at about 7.30pm wanting to use the washing machine to wash their grey Olympics kit. We had all gone home by then but, by chance, firefighter Shaun Lowe was still on station.
"We don't have washing machines at the station any more so Shaun rang me and asked if we could help."
Mr Baugh and his wife, Suzanne, a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service control operator, offered to do all the washing and drying at their home in Horwich.
Mr Baugh, aged 38, said: "Shaun drove the officer to our house and we had a cup of tea while we were waiting for the washing.
"We talked about the Olympics and the police and he was telling us about the relay and the different teams.
"Another officer came up later and brought one of the Olympic torches and we took photos in the garden.
"It was great for our children, George, aged 11, and James, aged nine, because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
To thank the fire service staff for their help, the officers arranged to stop off at the station during the official Torch relay on Friday morning as it made its way to Chorley.
They posed for photographs with the Blue Watch crew and the Olympic torch in front of a fire engine, with Mr and Mrs Baugh's children.
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