FIREFIGHTERS and support staff who committed magnificent acts of bravery, or have given long service to the community will be awarded at a ceremony.

The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Annual Awards Ceremony takes took place earlier this month at the Fire Service Training and Development Centre on Saltway, Droitwich.

Michael Brinton, the Lord Lieutenant of Worcester-shire, will preside on behalf of the Queen.

Outstanding Service Med-als will be presented to five Droitwich firefighters who saved a critically injured woman in a road crash in Saltway, Droitwich, 12 months ago.

They are Leading Firefighter Colin Pullen, Martin Harrison and Andrew Jones together with Sub Officer Paul Fardon and retired former sub officer Harry Yale.

And it is not just firefighters up for bravery awards.

Three neighbours - off duty Police Officer, Val Ferreira, Ron Whitcombe and his son Peter, who dragged their elderly neighbour Bob Usher from his blazing house, will receive a Society for the Protection of Life from Fire certificate.

They committed their act of bravery in Kingston Avenue, off Bilford Road in the early hours of July 6 last year. "We are quite nervous about getting the awards, but it does seem like a bit of a fuss to me," said Ron, aged 68.

"The fire just happened and sometimes you've got to do the best you can, but now I just want to forget about the whole thing."

Peter broke into the house and Ron crawled in under the smoke and found Mr Usher in the living room. He and PC Ferreira then pulled him out. "It was a real team effort," added Ron.

Unfortunately, Mr Usher had 70 per cent burns and he died the next day in hospital. The Band of the West Midland Fire Service will play at the awards, and the Droitwich Young Fire Fighters will conclude the afternoon with a skills demonstration.