A TRAINEE firefighter from Teesside took top honours on a 15-week training course for new recruits and won an award for best student.
David Bell, a recruit at Cleveland Fire Brigade, was presented with the award for top trainee at the passing out day for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade.
Mr Bell, 29, a former self-employed joiner, completed initial training with Durham and Darlington Brigade trainees and three colleagues from Cleveland, notching up top marks to take the silver axe awarded to the best recruit on the course.
Firefighter Bell, who will now join colleagues on White Watch at Stockton station, said: "I was really surprised to receive the silver axe award as others did really well and received distinctions.
"I am really looking forward to working at Stockton."
Carol McCletchie, director of human resources at the brigade, said: "David did well to win the Silver Axe.
"Recruits who finish the course with a distinction attain at least 90 per cent in exams, so his performance must have been outstanding."
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