LONGEST serving fire officer in the country, Chris Parsons, of Pershore, is standing down after 43 years.

"After that length of time there is always a feeling of sadness when you leave a job," Mr Parsons said.

"I have had some wonderful years in the fire brigade and worked with a tremendous crowd of people here at Pershore."

The 58-year-old said for all those years he had carried a pager prepared to respond at a moments notice and now there was a whole new sense of freedom.

Mr Parsons said the job had changed a lot over the years with these days much more administration.

"I should have retired at 55 so I have had a good run for my money," he said. "I leave with no regrets and many, many happy memories."

Mr Parsons joined the fire brigade as a retained firefighter, in March, 1962, serving at Worcester and Stourport before moving to Pershore fire station in 1975 where he has been in charge of a team of part-time firefighters.

"I was always keen in the fire brigade as a young teenager," Mr Parsons said. "I wanted the best of both worlds. I wanted to do a fireman's job but I also wanted to learn a trade."

He became an electrician, retiring from his job as product manager at Eco-Flam in 2002, continuing to work as a fire fighter because he liked the job so much.

During his time in the service, Mr Parsons has been awarded two medals, a long-service medal some 22 years ago and a medal for outstanding service during his 35th year in the brigade.

Mr Parsons has also served the community as a member of Pershore Town Council, serving as mayor, and has chaired the town's carnival association helping raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The father-of-two said it would have been impossible to dedicate so much time to the fire service without support.

"I could not have done it without the support of my wife, She has been the backbone of this job."

Mr Parsons spends his spare time cycling, walking and playing golf. He also has a passion for motorbikes and treated himself to a new machine when he retired from his day job.

Graham McKechnie has been appointed acting sub officer in charge at Pershore.

Press officer for Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, Alec Mackie said: "We have always been proud to have the longest serving fire officer with us."