An Ormskirk firefighter’s been given the axe – presented after retiring with 30 years front line service.

Former crew manager Rob Gonzalez-Green’s pictured with some of his retained firefighter colleagues at Ormskirk fire station - and the specially inscribed axe he received after officially retiring at 52 a few days ago.

Born and bred in Bickerstaffe, he spent seven years at Skem. fire station and another 23 at Ormskirk and still lives in the fire brigade houses on County Road.

One of his proudest moments came when his son Robbie recently joined the service – and one of his most memorable tackling the massive fire at the converted Burscough Mill back in 2014 when he was one of 100 firefighters fighting the blaze over several hours.

“When a ‘shout’ comes in you never know what it’s going to be,” said Rob who’ll be enjoying retirement with wife Sandra.

“No two days are ever the same and I’ve worked with a great bunch of colleagues.”