A RETAINED firefighter, who has given 20 years of service to his village, has been honoured with a special award.

Watch manager David Bartlett received The Queen’s Award for Long Service and Good Conduct at a ceremony at Hartley Wintney fire station.

The 38-year-old, of Church View, started there as a volunteer at the age of 18, following in the footsteps of his father Graham.

Last Saturday, past and current colleagues came to the station in Brew House Lane to celebrate David’s achievement. He decided to receive his award at the station rather than the more formal surroundings of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s annual dinner.

His brother Steve Bartlett, a crew manager at Hartley Wintney fire station, said: “The ceremony was well-attended by current firefighters, partners and children, because David said he wanted to make it a family event.

“David is regarded highly by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service because of the work he puts in at Hartley Wintney and it was nice to bring everyone together for a celebratory event.”

David works at the station in his spare time when he is not doing his day job, as a station manager at Heathrow airport.

Former firefighters who attended included his father Graham, who gave 27 years’ service, David Charlton, who gave 24 years, and David Friend, a 30-year veteran.

Current crew members who attended included crew managers Steve Bartlett and Lee Field, and firefighters Philip Cliff, Philip Horwood, Ryan Gordon, Simon Griffiths, Tom Miller, Malcolm Park, Chris Sellick and David Kelly.

The service is currently recruiting new firefighters who are available to provide weekday, evening and weekend cover. They must live or work within four minutes of the fire station.

Retained firefighters are fully trained and are paid for responding, doing the same job as whole-time firefighters.

For more information, visit the fire station on Tuesday evenings between 6.30pm and 9.30pm, or call David on 07918 888 158.