A firefighter has been named top student on a 14-week training course for new recruits.
Jason Walker, a new recruit at Cleveland Fire Brigade, was presented with the Silver Axe award for best trainee at a passing out day for 20 firefighters, aged between 20 and 38.
Mr Walker, 30, a sports enthusiast who served in the RAF for 12 years, will join the Green Watch at Billingham fire station.
John Henderson, Andrew Shea and Kevin Howarth all achieved a distinction by attaining at least 90 per cent in the course.
The ceremony, at the brigade's Grangetown training centre, also saw 21 uniformed staff and one civilian worker presented with medals for long service.
The recruits handed over £1,000 to the Teesside Hospice and nearly £900 to the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund following a fundraising day in Middlesbrough.
Chief Fire Officer John Doyle said: "The achievement of the trainee course is a major step in our firefighters' drive towards professionalism. The brigade extends congratulations to all those who have completed this demanding course and wishes them success in their career."
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