A 52-year-old fire station sub-officer has retired after 30 years in the service -- nearly two decades of which he has spent at Keighley.

Eddie Presland, of Long Lee, returned to the station where his career began in January, 1975, as sub-officer 13 years ago.

Eddie qualified from college in 1970 as a chef and first worked in a cafe in Saltaire. After two other jobs he joined the fire service.

He decided to become a fireman after talking to a neighbour who was already in the brigade.

Eddie said: "I have done 30 fantastic years with the fire service, serving the public. When you can help people in times of trouble, it's a great buzz."

He spent his first six years at Keighley, before moving to Bingley station in 1981 and Fairweather Green in 1983.

For the next two years he was given a temporary post around the brigade area working in promotions.

In 1985, he was promoted to leading firefighter and stationed at Illingworth. He was promoted again in 1990 and moved to Leeds.

He returned to his home-town station in 1992 as sub-officer, and has also served as watch manager.

Although he has attended many major fires in the area during his long career, Eddie said one thing that would stick out was the death of former colleague Jeff Naylor.

He said: "I joined in 1975 with Jeff Naylor. We travelled together, trained together and came to the same station before he was tragically killed in a house fire. My mind will cast back, knowing that I could have been retiring with Jeff."

A retirement bash was held last Friday and many of those present, including Eddie's current and former colleagues, worked with Mr Naylor.

Mr Naylor suffered extensive burns and died in hospital three months after an inferno in 1983 at an Ingrow house, which also claimed the lives of two children. He helped to rescue three other youngsters.

The following year, Eddie helped to raise money for a children's play area in the burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, in memory of his colleague, by running the Bradford Marathon.

Eddie this week started a new part-time job as a store manager with Keybury Security.

Together with wife Jenni, whom he married last September, he runs the Keybury Alarms Junior Football League.

He also coaches Long Lee Under 15s and still plays football himself.

Mr Presland has a 23-year-old daughter, Laura, who is a nursery nurse, from his previous marriage.