A fire crew with the Cooper Tires factory in Melksham has attended its last shout as the company ended its historic links with Wiltshire’s fire brigade.

Avon Rubber set up its on-site brigade more than 100 years ago and strengthened it in 1966 following a major fire at the Bath Road factory which caused £1m of damage.

But the company, now owned by an American firm, announced earlier this year it would be scrapping the fire brigade, making one person redundant, because of the recession.

The current team of 12 retained firefighters and one full-time firefighter had their last official photograph taken next to their two fire engines and water rescue boat yesterday - their last day together as a team.

Watch manager, Pete Rivers, is the longest serving member of the crew after joining 22 years ago, and is also the only full-time member of the crew.

He spoke of his sadness over the end of the service, which has a decades-long link with Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

He said: “I am more disappointed with the break in tradition than anything, as the service has been running for over 100 years.

“We have found records that go back to 1913 and show that the service had to go and get a horse from stables at the King’s Arms pub and bring them back down here before going to a farm fire at Broughton Gifford.

“The fact that this long tradition is being broken is what really upsets me, as well as being sad for the guys.”

Mr Rivers, who has two daughters, said the fire service has played a big part in his life.

“I think the perception can sometimes be that this is a part time job to bring in a few quid, and people don’t realise the commitment from the guys,” he said.

“I still get a buzz from it to this day when my beeper goes off and all the guys feel the same. It’s a way of life and anyone that tells you any different is not telling the truth.

“We all joined because we wanted to and are community minded. All the guys want to do something for their community.

“As well as going out for emergencies they also put in time at things like summer fetes and we do a lot of community safety events.”

Mr Rivers said the crew members all work for the factory, in Bath Road, and now had the opportunity to transfer to retained fire stations if they wanted to.

He said six had already applied to nearby stations, including Melksham and Trowbridge.

He said his wife Wendy had always supported his career and also felt for him during this time.

He said: “My wife feels for me as she knows I am putting on a brave face, but I am very sad that this has come to an end.”

The last shout for the crew was in Fuller’s Close, Melksham, where they were called in to help the ambulance service at 4.45pm on Monday.

Cooper Avon’s fire appliances, which were on loan from the Wiltshire fire service, will be handed back now the unit has closed, while the boat used by the water rescue team is owned by the company.