75692-54A SWINDON firefighter has celebrated his impending retirement in a blaze of glory with a seven-engine procession to his home.

Sub-officer Graham Weller, who is in charge of Swindon Fire Station's Blue Watch had been hoping to keep his retirement low-key, but his colleagues had other ideas and wanted it to go off with a bang. He was forced to play along or face a severe soaking.

Father-of-three Graham, 50, has given 28 years to the fire service but is retiring early because of diabetes.

He said: "I wanted to just sneak away, but the station officer, Pete Townsend, told me that the guys wanted to say goodbye. It was either that or get very wet."

The procession of fire engines, old and new, left the fire station in Drove Road and headed towards West Swindon, and Graham's home in Ramleaze.

He said: "Diabetes has finally got the better of me, but I would have probably been leaving in two years time anyway at the end of my 30 years.

"It's been a memorable 28 years. I have had some great colleagues over the years. Many have moved on to other stations or even emigrated.

"Firefighters are a unique lot, all singing from the same song sheet, and I am definitely going to miss it."

Graham was born in Old Town, and worked for car dealer Dick Lovett before being given an application form for Gloucestershire Fire Brigade.

"I spent eight years in Gloucester, but I wanted to return home to Swindon where my family was, so I transferred here.

"When I first became a firefighter I didn't know a huge amount about it, apart of the fact they put out fires. But of course nowadays that could not be further from the truth we do so much more nowadays.

"We have pulled cows out of slurry and rescued people from cars, but it also involves giving fire safety talks and chatting to school children.

"But I will always remember pulling out three guys from a burning flat in Penhill, by going through the front window.

"Being a sub-officer was a stressful role as it is your first decision that matters. Other officers might turn up later to take over, but it's that initial decision that could make all the difference."

Up until July last year Graham was also involved with the Junior Good Citizen Scheme.

The scheme helps young people aged between 10 and 11 years to get to grips with issues such as fire safety, citizenship skills, road traffic safety, stranger danger and environmental matters.

He is looking forward to a slap-up meal with wife, Ann, 50; daughter Lisa, 23 and his two sons, Duncan, 21 and Nick, 20, to celebrate his retirement.

His last day on duty will be on February 14.

Anthony Osborne