A firefighter at Newquay Cornwall Airport has become the first in the county to receive a long-service award.

Mark Carhart was presented with his medal for 20 years service and good conduct at the airport fire station’s headquarters, by the base’s managing director Al Titterington.

Mr Carhart joined the then Cornwall Fire Brigade in 1990 where he served as a retained fire fighter for 13 years, finishing his time in the rank of crew manager.

In 1996 he joined the in-house Military of Defence (MoD) “Resource Facility” Fire Service at RAF St Mawgan, which then became part of the Defence Fire & Rescue Management Organisation (DFRMO) in 2001.

He was ‘temporarily’ promoted to crew manager and ended up staying in the post until 2008, when he transferred as fire fighter to the newly opened Newquay Cornwall Airport Fire Service.

Graham Simpson, manager of fire services at Newquay Cornwall Airport, said: “I am delighted to see the first of the airport firefighters receive this prestigious and highly recognised award within the fire industry. Mark has been a dedicated member of staff who has always been willing to go that extra mile for the fire service.”

Newquay Cornwall Airport fire department employs a team of 30 who were recruited in 2008 when Cornwall Airport Ltd gained its Civil Aviation Authority licence, following the transition from the MoD.