ONE of the oldest operating firefighters in the country has hung up his helmet for the last time.

Trevor Bell, 58, has ended nearly three decades of service with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue after using new legislation to stay on for an extra three-and-a-half years past the usual retirement age of 55.

Mr Bell, who is based at the Acomb Fire Station in York, joined the service in 1977 after spending some time as a part-time footballer at Scarborough.

He has been based at Acomb since the new station opened 25 years ago.

Although he missed the devastating York Minster fire because his watch was not on duty, he has tackled several of the region's biggest blazes and accidents, including the Great Heck, Selby, rail crash and the fire at Harrogate Conference Centre.

He received a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation for saving a woman from a building in Foxwood, York.

He said: "The enormity of Great Heck was amazing. I had seen some crashes, but you just couldn't believe the enormity of it all.

"I will miss the comradeship and excitement.

"I will miss all the blokes most of all. You do get a buzz from being at a fire and helping people."

Rob Horton, Blue Watch manager, said: "He has had an exemplary service.

"He is a very modest man, but has carried out numerous rescues and saved numerous lives. He has been a benefit to the city of York and he will be sorely missed."