TWO Bradford firefighters are retiring after almost 60 years of service between them.

Kenny Atkins, 53, and Carl Pearson, 59, will be leaving Fairweather Green fire station for the final time next month, following their long commitment to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Both men have worked out of a number of stations in the district, only heading to their current Thornton Road base in recent years.

Mr Atkins, of Undercliffe, joined the fire service at the age of 23 after previously working in the fabrication industry.

It was an advert in the Telegraph & Argus that led to him applying to become a firefighter, and he went on to receive a commendation in the 1990s after rescuing two boys from the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

He said: "It's been a good job because of the friendship and the dedication of the people I have met over the years - the fire fighters who are committed to helping people. It's a brotherhood and people look after each other."

He started his career with the fire service at Bramley, and went on to work at Shipley, Stanningley, Odsal, Moortown and Bradford, before being posted to Fairweather Green 15 months ago.

Mr Atkins recalled a particularly traumatic incident in the early 1990s when he and a colleague pulled two young boys out of the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Kirkstall, Leeds.

The youngsters did not survive, but the two firefighters received commendations from the fire service, as well as a Royal Humane Society award, which are given for acts of bravery in the saving of human life.

He is looking forward to spending more time looking after his three horses.

Mr Pearson, a married father-of-two from Buttershaw, started out in Keighley, then Bradford, before being transferred to Fairweather Green for the last two years of his career.

He worked in engineering until the age of 31, and joined the fire service after being made redundant. He has clocked up 29 years service and will be retiring as he hits his 60th birthday next month.

"My brother-in-law was in the fire service so I discussed it with him and decided to apply," he said.

"Put simply, I enjoy the fighting fires part of the job. There have been too many incidents over the years to single any one out - from house fires with persons reported, to large mills, as well as many incidents of 20 pumps plus.

"First in, last out, that's me."

Mr Pearson plans to move to Spain with his wife, Gemma, and their dog in October.