STATION Commander at Chagford Fire Station Pete Stocks has retired from the Devon Fire and Rescue Service after 33 years.

Mr Stocks was given a good send-off by crew members at the Three Crowns Hotel in Chagford recently and he was presented with a plaque and solid brass fireman's axe.

The fireman joined the Chagford Fire Brigade at the age of 18 and has been involved in many major 'shouts' including the burning down of Ilsington Manor in 1977, the fire at Teign Gorge in Prestonbury which burned for a week in 1975 and the Lower Street house fires in Chagford in 1971.

When Mr Stocks became a firefighter, Chagford attended an average of 17-20 incidents a year — that figure has now risen to 120.

Ian Rice, who has taken over as Station Commander, said Mr Stocks was a very 'hands-on guy' always in the thick of everything.

The Chagford are still looking for new members and Mr Rice can be called on 01647 432232.