A LONG-SERVING firefighter has been recognised for his service with a lifetime achievement award.

Gareth Jones, a Newcastle Emlyn community firefighter, picked up the award at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s ‘Celebrating Success’ awards ceremony in Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall on Wednesday.

Hosted by BBC journalist and broadcaster Siân Lloyd, the awards recognised and celebrated outstanding achievements of fire and rescue staff and members of the public in helping keep communities safe.

The lifetime achievement award recognises an exceptional individual who has contributed over 30 years of service and shown outstanding dedication to the service.

Mr Jones joined Newcastle Emlyn Fire Station as a retained firefighter in 1976 and was officer in charge when he retired after 39 years.

He was nominated by head of community safety Karen Jones who said: "As well as the significant contribution to serving his local community, Gareth is widely known in the community safety and child education world as he continues to work as a support officer in the community safety department.

“Gareth’s duties are many and varied and quite often go unseen as they involve the logistical arrangements required to effectively co-ordinate community safety events around the service.

"He is a familiar face at both station open days and larger high profile events.

“One of Gareth’s most important roles is his delivery of safety messages to schoolchildren.

"He has been enthusiastically involved in this works since the early days of schools education.

"His 39 years’ service has undoubtedly made a significant contribution to the safety of his local community and to that of countless young people who have benefited from his schools engagements.”