A TEIGNBRIDGE fire station has said goodbye to one of its crew members as he bows out from his service with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue.

‘It’s with great sadness that today we announce that firefighter Ben Mahon will be taking the battery out of his pager for the final time tonight as he makes the decision to leave the service’, a spokesman for Newton Abbot Fire Station said.

‘Ben joined the station approximately three years ago and even within that short period of time, became a key player among our team.

‘He is an individual who will be sorely missed as we all go forward from his decision and always brought a smile and a laugh to the station, as well as problem solving mentality and willingness to be involved in any task that was presented to him’ the spokesman went on to say.’

Crews presented Ben with a card as well as a chocolate bouquet at the end of the his final training session last Monday.

‘Ben, all of us here at Newton Abbot Fire Station would like to offer you our best wishes as you move forward, and we all truly wish the best for you and your family’ the spokesman added.