A BRIDGWATER firefighter has been honoured with a long service award at a special ceremony held at Service Headquarters in Exeter.

Bridgwater station manager Bob Ferguson, was one of several members of the Service who have served for more than 40 years presented with special awards.

Bob initially joined as a retained firefighter with the then Somerset Fire Brigade in 1974 and was based at Burnham-on-Sea.

In 1977, Bob became a full-time firefighter based at Bridgwater station.

In 1986 he transferred to Taunton fire station and in 1989 he secured a substantive promotion to Leading Firefighter.

In 1997 he was promoted to Sub Officer in Bridgwater.

A temporary promotion to Station Officer at Bridgwater followed between 2004 and 2005 which became permanent in 2006.

In 2007, Bob became a Station Manager in Bridgwater Group Support now West Somerset Group Support, based at Chiltern House, where he still provides loyal service.