The voices of children from two school choirs accompanied by Shropshire firefighters and their families and friends will ring out from a county church in the fire service’s annual Christmas Festival of Carols.

Shropshire fundraisers who collected more than £10,000 to fund a county charity mission to send much needed fire engines to Romania have been praised for their efforts by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Hundreds of people from across the county held car washes, cake sales, dress down days and auctions while sports clubs held bucket collections to raise the cash which will send four fire engines and a team of 14 volunteers to Romania next week.

Their efforts will help replace “outmoded and cumbersome” equipment and “save lives.”

A Bridgnorth firefighter who “worked tirelessly” with his wife to raise £35,000 for charity after the death of their toddler son has won a top award.

Ashley and Gemma Brown raised the money for Asthma UK after their two-year-old son Cameron tragically died from the illness.

The couple aimed to raise £25,000 for the national charity with the launch of Cameron’s Fund but beat their target due to “their complete dedication” to the cause and positive response after their personal loss, said Chris Metcalfe, of Telent.

Two Shropshire firefighters with joint firefighting careers spanning 80 years have been honoured for their long service.

Retired postman Peter Langford and ex-soldier David Warwick both joined Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service as retained firefighters in 1972.

They were both presented with their 40 years service award by Stuart West, chairman of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority, at a ceremony held at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn last night (Wednesday).

Shropshire must get fair funding from the Government to run its fire and rescue service, says Shropshire & Wrekin Fire Authority.

A campaign to lobby Ministers gained momentum as it was revealed that a small increase in Government grant could freeze the portion of council tax paid to fund Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Councillor Stuart West, chair of the Fire Authority, today appealed for people to write to their local MP to demand fair funding for the county fire brigade.