Firefighters and civilians alike who put their lives at risk to save others were praised for their selfless acts at an awards ceremony held in Shropshire.

Three binmen who rescued an elderly couple from a burning car were  honoured alongside firefighters, some who braved terrorist bomb attacks in the 1980s and also fought the largest fire in UK peacetime during a 30 year career with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A company which has actively backed Shropshire’s on call firefighters for the past 25 years has been praised for its support.

Chief Fire Officer John Redmond said Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service relied on businesses such as Ludlow’s DMS Plastics which allowed employees, who are also trained firefighters, to “drop tools” at a moment’s notice to respond to 999 calls.

The firm in Lingen Road, Ludlow, currently has one of its 25 staff , employed as an on call firefighter and five previous firefighter employees over the past 25 years.

Shropshire firefighters showed off their animal rescue skills live on BBC television this morning.

BBC Breakfast presenter Sian Lloyd was with the animal rescue team based at Wellington Fire Station, where the cameras were rolling today.

She reported how the demands for the animal rescue team, formed a few years ago, were growing from farmers and horseriders whose animals get into difficulty.

Other fire services across the UK were now also setting up similar animal rescue teams.

Rob Sheppard told how animals can be highly strung and react after an incident.

An appeal has gone out for more “on call” firefighters across Shropshire but they are especially needed in both Prees and Newport. Anyone interested can turn up at the second of two recruitment events being held at Newport Fire Station, Salters Lane, on Saturday, March 28 from 10am to 1pm.

There are a total of 15 firefighters who cover the Newport area but they need more with six recently retiring or moving away.

While there are are 11 firefighters in Prees but “we can take 16,” says Watch Manager Tony Peck, who works at a concrete plant.

Women who want to be firefighters turned out for a “taster” session at a Shropshire fire station.

Attending the taster session on Saturday at Oswestry Fire Station were women aged between 23 and 47 and included mums whose children were leaving for university, a child care worker, butcher, fitness instructor and a business support worker.

They learned what it takes to join the county’s 300 plus “on call” fully trained firefighters who deal with around the clock emergencies.