A HAMPSHIRE firefighter has crowned a 30-year career by becoming one of the first people to receive a meritorious service medal.

Mike Jewell was presented with the long-service award from Hampshire's chief fire officer, Malcolm Eastwood. The medal has only recently been introduced by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Mike, 53, from Fairview Drive, Dibden Purlieu, is a part-time firefighter based at Hythe and is on call 24 hours a day.

When not tackling fires and other incidents Mike runs the building business he founded 11 years ago. He will have to leave the fire service when he reaches the compulsory retirement age for firefighters in less than two years' time.

Mike said: "You never know what will happen from one day to the next and every call is different. We respond to a lot of road accidents and problems with chemicals.

"I don't know if I'll be sad when I retire from the service. I expect I will miss it."

Phil Gittings, sub-officer in charge of the Hythe station, said: "It has been a pleasure working with Mike and he will be sorely missed when he has to retire from the fire service in 18 months time."