FIRE engines led the cortege for the funeral of a former fire chief.

Bill Tozer, who was deputy fire officer in County Durham for 13 years, died last Thursday at his home in Newton Hall, Durham, of a heart attack. He was 78.

Two appliances were at the head of the procession that made the short journey from Mr Tozer's home to St Cuthbert's Church, in North Road, stopping briefly outside the brigade headquarters en route.

The service was attended by brigade members past and present.

Mr Tozer, who was born in Worcester, was the seventh generation of his family to be in the fire service, mostly in senior posts. His father, Charles, also rose to the rank of deputy fire officer in the Durham brigade.

Mr Tozer spent his early years in London and after service in the Military Police moved to Dunston, Gateshead, where he was a retained firefighter before joining the full-time service at Felling, winning the silver axe for the best recruit.

He moved to Durham in 1954 and became a station officer the year after. He moved through the ranks, reaching deputy fire officer in 1971.

He received the Queen's Fire Service Medal in 1983 and retired through ill health the following year.

His wife Bea died in 1988. He leaves two married daughters, Jill and Margaret, four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

Son-in-law Danny Wilkinson said the fire brigade connection continued as daughter, Margaret, was head of the control room at brigade headquarters and his grand-daughter was also a control room operator.