Nigel, 39, of Moss Road, has raced out to tackle house fires, floods and road accidents for 20 years, and will receive his special service medal shortly.

Constantly on call as a part-time fire fighter at the retained station, dad of two Nigel loves the challenge of the job, and also works as a self-employed kitchen and bathroom fitter.

"I joined the fire service with a friend, but was really surprised when I got no call out at all in my first fortnight," he said.

"We still get quiet weeks – you tend to be most busy in the summer months, and we do occasionally get calls out to big jobs in other areas. Your first major fire is a real eye opener.

"I wouldn't want to give this up. Everybody knows me around Askern and although the work obviously has its downside, it can be so rewarding."

Nigel was one of the many emergency service workers to help hapless flood victims in Toll Bar, during the June floods of last year.