LAUNCESTON Fire Station have said goodbye to one of their valued team members during his retirement night at the station last week.

Jeff Rutherford has been a firefighter at the station for 33 years and two months, he has attended most of the serious jobs in the Launceston area throughout the years and had recently been called to his furthest job, taking him down to Penzance.

Mr Rutherford has seen a tremendous change in the service over the years, and has had to abseil, analyse computers and do river rescue training with dry suits.

He said: "It has got a lot more professional over the year. Although I have gone, the service has to continue, and I wonder what it will look like in another 33 years."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.