TAVISTOCK Fire Station said goodbye to one of its crew members after 33 years and hello to a new vehicle.

Rob Turnock, who joined the crew in 1979, was presented with a silver retirement axe by Rick Selley, group manager.

The retiring firefighter thanked his colleagues for making his job as a retained fireman rewarding and for the support of his wife Julie and sons Nathan and Morgan.

The station is celebrating the arrival of a light 4x4 emergency pump which has improved 'wildland' firefighting capabilities.

Station officer Mike Porter said the vehicle would allow better access to Dartmoor where crews often experienced gorse fires.

Main items of equipment included a 300 litre water tank, water backpacks, beaters, fogging units and the vehicle carried a crew of four.

'Tackling wild fires is time consuming so this extra vehicle is good news for us, he said. 'I would just like to highlight the danger of discarded cigarettes and barbecues on the moor. It is important that these items are properly disposed of and not left alight.'