15384/3TWO Pewsey fire fighters have been rewarded by Wiltshire fire chief Andy Goves for their combined service of more than 40 years.

Mr Goves, Wiltshire's Chief Fore Officer, went to Pewsey on Monday to present 20-year long service and good conduct awards to Firefighter Keith "Jimmer" Flippance and Leading Firefighter Chris Wootton.

Mr Flippance joined the Wiltshire brigade in March 1984 and in August 1988 joined the Ministry of Defence Fire Service at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham.

In 1991 he was promoted to sub officer with the Ministry fire service and moved to the Ordnance Depot at Bicester for five years. Mr Flippance has served at Shrivenham and Middle Wallop and is currently posted to the Defence Fire Service Training School as a station officer responsible for fire safety training to military personnel and civilian employees.

In June last year Mr Flippance was deployed to Basra in Iraq to co-ordinate service operations and took charge at several major incidents.

Chris Wootton, who joined the fire brigade in August 1984 has two distinctions; when he is at work at his family business, Woottons of Pewsey, he is right opposite the fire station and invariably first to arrive.

Mr Wootton received a letter from a former chief officer for attending 97.5 per cent of all fire calls received, he set a new record of 98.5 per cent the following year.

Mr Wootton was promoted to leading firefighter in 1989.