A LONG-SERVING fire officer has risen through the ranks to be earmarked as the next chief of a North-East brigade.

Iain Bathgate has been selected to become the new chief officer for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Brigade.

He will take over from Richard Bull, when he leaves the post on December 25, following a total of 12 years in the role.

Mr Bull became the service's youngest ever chief fire officer, in January 1996.

Mr Bathgate, 49, is a father-of-two, from Washington, who has worked in the fire service for 29 years.

He began as a firefighter and then junior officer, serving in Gateshead, Tunstall, Hebburn, Wallsend and Sunderland central stations.

He became fire safety officer in Sunderland and South Tyneside and was then appointed as the service's training officer.

Mr Bathgate progressed to become the brigade's assistant chief officer for operation and technical services, before being appointed deputy chief fire officer, in July 2006.

Tyne and Wear fire Authority chairman, Peter Gibson, said: "Iain has extensive experience and the right skills to keep the authority moving forward."

Mr Bathgate, a Newcastle United season ticket holder, will act as chief fire officer designate until his Christmas Day step up to the top job.

He described Mr Bull as, "a very tough act to follow".