A FIREFIGHTER who helped keep Chippenham safe for nearly 30 years has retired.

Dave Bunworth, from Pewsham, hung up his black overalls and hose for the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service on Monday.

The 50-year-old, who started work as a retained firefighter in 1988 alongside his job at Wavin Plastics, was awarded his long service-certificate by the chief fire officer on Monday.

He said: “It was a lifelong dream of mine to join the fire service after watching the fire engines go in and out, so I thought I would go down one night to see what it would be like and I fell in love with it.

“It has been a pleasure serving the Chippenham community and I have loved every moment of it but I think the time is right to go.

“I had a young child when I first joined and I have been through a lot since then and I’m actually spending a lot of time travelling between Kent and Chippenham at the moment, so it’ll be nice to have some time to myself and not worry about being called out.

“I want to thank all my family, friends and colleagues for supporting me though, because I have had to make quite a lot of sacrifices, but they have been like a big family to me.”

Mr Bunworth, who is looking into doing a tree surgery course at Wiltshire College’s Lackham campus later this year, also wants more people to consider becoming a retained firefighter.

“We are always short of firefighters, so if you’re interested, get yourself down to the station one day,” he said. “The station always needs cover and it will be good to see some young blood there too.”

Ade Hurren, Chippenham station manager, said: “Dave has served Chippenham for over 29 years and on behalf of the people of Chippenham I would like to thank him. Dave has been a loyal, reliable and committed member of the Chippenham fire station crew and I know he will not only be missed by his colleagues there but also those from Corsham and Malmesbury too.”

Dom Farley, who served for 16 years, retired on the same night.