FIREFIGHTERS in Kirkbymoorside have been recognised for their commitment to the town.

Nine officers were presented with the town’s community award by local mayor Cllr Angus Ashworth at the annual town meeting.

Cllr Ashworth said he applauded the firefighters for their commitment to the community. “The choice to volunteer to this particular role is highly commendable and greatly appreciated,” he said.

“The commitment involved in being a retained firefighter is not to be underestimated and the service they provide is invaluable. Thank you on behalf of Kirkbymoorside.”

The award was presented to firefighters Adrian Sleightholme, Chris Clark, Philip Kay, Sean Kay, John Watson, John Harland, Ryan Rivis, Ben Gamble and Tom Eddery,

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was represented by Marc Warren, group manager of Scarborough and Ryedale.

He said: “Training is no different whether you work for the fire service full-time or part-time because we don’t have such things are retained house fires.

“The level of training the staff get in itself requires an extreme level of work and dedication.”

He added: “It’s not just the families that make a commitment and the officers themselves, their employers make a commitment."