MONDAY sees the end of an era when the last Darlington county borough firefighter retires.

Jeff Ashton, 55, of Milton Street, Darlington, joined the town's fire brigade in 1973 as a junior officer.

He was the last county borough firefighter to join because the Darlington station was amalgamated with the rest of Durham County in 1974.

"My father was in the fire service and I really wanted to be a fireman too but couldn't join until I was 18," said Mr Ashton.

"So, I served an apprenticeship at Cleveland Bridge and then applied.

"I got through all of the tests but at my medical was told I was too small to join. I applied a year later and this time I was the right size even though I hadn't changed.

"Now I'm a crew manager and in charge of a fire engine."

Mr Ashton said that during his 31 years at Darlington fire station he had seen many developments in the equipment used.

"Obviously, we put fires out. We have also always dealt with road accidents but there are more and more these days. I remember the days with hack saws and these big tin openers which we made ourselves. However, the equipment is all hydraulic now."

Over the years, Mr Ashton's crew, white watch, has dealt with some unusual cases and found people stuck in different situations.

"One of the funniest incidents I ever dealt with was in Firthmoor," he said. "It involved one of those old fashioned washing machines with a ringer on the top.

"A lady with long blond hair got her hair caught in the rollers and when we were called out we found her sat with the ringer on her head. It was very funny and we had to use a hack saw to cut the rollers."

"However, there have been one or two situations that I've been in and didn't want to be.

"Warehouses are the worst. You can't see your hand in front of your face and you are always worried about flash-overs and back drafts. Luckily we've been OK."

Mr Ashton's wife, Janice, also used to work in the control room at Darlington along with his sister. Her father was a retained firefighter and Mr Ashton's ex-brother-in-law was a firefighter in Bishop Auckland.

"I've never regretted joining the fire service and loved every minute of it," he said.

"I've watched other people retire over the years and I thought I had years to go, but it soon comes around.

"I feel I'm not old enough to retire. Going into work has been like a social occasion. I'm going to miss my pals."

On August 20, Mr Ashton's family including his three sons Steve, 20, Chris, 19, and Matthew,15, and his colleagues will enjoy a party at the station.

He is also going on holiday shortly and hopes to find a part time or another full time job after his retirement.