ALCESTER'S Leading Firefighter, Paul Stephens, was rewarded for his long and loyal service at a presentation at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters.

Sub officer Stephens, 46, joined the brigade in 1981 as a retained firefighter at Bidford, where he grew up.

In 1983, he started giving day cover at Stratford and five years later was promoted to Leading Firefighter at Alcester, where he is in charge of the station.

Former Leading Firefighter Stanley Russell, who retired from the brigade last July because of business commitments, received an award for 20 years' service.

Mr Russell served at Bidford fire station.

An Alcester company was also honoured at the award ceremony.

Seco Tools received a silver award for its support of the service by allowing an employee to attend his duties at the retained station in Alcester during working hours.

The awards were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Martin Dunne.