A FIREFIGHTER has decided to call it a day after nearly 23 years of service.

Dave Newman, a retained firefighter at Trowbridge Fire Station, was presented with a certificate of service in front of all his colleagues on his last night at the station. He said: "I originally joined the fire service to help the local community and I think I have certainly managed that over all these years. I have learned a lot of skills and it has been very worthwhile working with others as part of a team to help those in danger."

He was presented with his certificate of service by Wiltshire's chief fire officer Andy Goves. Mr Goves said: "Retained firefighters are an integral part of the local community as they have to live and work in close proximity to the fire station while also holding down a full time job as well.

Mr Newman now plans to spend more time with his family and in France. Wiltshire has 17 retained fire stations plus other full time stations with extra retained officers, such as Trowbridge. The brigade is always looking for members of the community to become retained firefighters.