SIDMOUTH firefighter Mike Dring has been awarded a long service and good conduct medal for 20 years service at an awards ceremony at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service headquarters.

SIDMOUTH firefighter Mike Dring has been awarded a long service and good conduct medal for 20 years' service at an awards ceremony at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service headquarters.

Mike, 45, joined Sidmouth Fire Station as a retained firefighter, as one of the youngest on station, in March 1988 aged 24.

For 14 years he also provided operational cover during the day at Ottery St Mary, where he worked.

Area Commander Paul Walker who attended the ceremony last month said: "I was proud to witness Firefighter Mike Dring receive his medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Eric Dancer CBE JP.

"Mike has been a valued firefighter at Sidmouth for over 20 years and this award recognises his meritorious service to the Fire and Rescue Service, the community of Sidmouth and the wider Devon area.

"The support Mike has received from his wife Wendy and their two children Michaela, 17, and Lauren, 15, is very much appreciated."

Mike said: "I wouldn't give it up for the world. It is fulfilling and exciting and as you can imagine takes a lot of my life up because you are on call 24/7."

Now working at Waitrose near his home in Chambers Close, Mike said of the many incidents he has attended over the years the one that sticks in his mind is that of a fire at Woodbury Common in 1995 which involved 20 fire engines and 150 firefighters.

"It sticks in my mind mainly because we nearly lost one of our fire appliances, which was scorched down one side and had to be moved quickly."

More recently he was involved in "piggy-backing" people to safety during flooding at Ottery St Mary.

"I have also rescued numerous cows out of swimming pools, and yes the odd cat out of a tree.