A FORMER Bewdley mayor has hung up his helmet for the last time after stepping down from his role as the top man at the town's fire station.

Paul Gittins has been putting out fires around town for 34 years - and has been officer in charge at the station since 1980.

But while he admits life for retained firefighters is tough due to the possibility of being called out at any time - when in range of the station - Mr Gittins, current town councillor and mayor in 1999-2000, stresses it is their families who suffer the most.

"It's the partners who get all the inconvenience," he added, citing his own wife Carol - a fellow town councillor and former mayor - who has been "very supportive".

"We need the support of partners and families. They do worry."

Mr Gittins' main job for the last 40 years has been as a weaver at Kidderminster's Victoria Carpets, but he has helped tackle several large and memorable fires at Hurcott Paper Mill, Woolworths in Worcester, the Malvern Hills and Kidderminster's Stone Manor Hotel.

"I've been out to about 5,000 calls - all different, all interesting," he added.

Retirement is now compulsory as Bewdley-born Mr Gittins, of Bark Hill, has reached 55 and he has already taken advantage of a six-month extension.

But the firefighting urge clearly runs in the family - Mr Gittins' father served in the town and his son John has followed in his footsteps.

And he is looking forward to seeing the last of his pager. "It will be nice to be able to go out shopping or to shows without having to worry."