Shropshire firefighters were called out to help colleagues tackle serious floods which swept the West Country.

A total of 20 “on call” firefighters from Shrewsbury, Baschurch, Prees, Clun and Craven Arms used the county’s High Volume Pump appliance in Weston Super Mare to join colleagues from Avon and Somerset and South Wales in fighting the flood waters.

A leading Shropshire firm, which employs four retained firefighters, was praised for allowing them to leave work “at a minute’s notice” to answer the emergency call.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire at M and B Travel in Trench Road, Telford at 7.06am Sunday 25^th November involving a Transit minibus and caravan.

The fire also involved a neighbouring shed containing rabbits.

Two appliances from Wellington and one appliance from Telford attended the scene together with a Fire Investigation Officer.

The fire is being treated as deliberate and anyone with any information is being asked to contact West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Fire crews across Shropshire are today celebrating another successful safety campaign running up to bonfire night.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has run a campaign, with the help of both police and local authorities, to reduce the number of uncontrolled bonfires over the past four years.

Shropshire’s latest new recruits will be stationed at fire stations across the county. Here they are pictured with their new colleagues receiving their awards after successfully completing eight weeks basic training. They are pictured with Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond and Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority chairman Stuart West at their passing out ceremony.

The Safer Telford and Wrekin Partnership is once again driving forward its Celebrate Safely Campaign during the fortnight that includes Halloween and Bonfire Night.

To help promote the importance of celebrating safely, Cinderella Pantomime stars such as Mark Two and Jamie Sheen (Ugly sisters) are getting in on the action by helping the Safer Telford & Wrekin Partnership launch this years competition. This will feature on  Celebrate Safely postcards that include handy hints and tips for families across the borough.