FIREFIGHTERS in Fordingbridge are keeping it in the family – with eight of the station’s 17 current personnel being fathers and sons.

Watch manager Pete White and his son, firefighter Steven White, firefighters Paul and Lee Dorrington, Colin and Callum Dedman and Derek and Richard Jones are the latest in a long line of relatives to battle blazes in the town.

Over the years since the formation of the Hampshire Fire Service in 1948, there has been a total of 12 fathers and their sons serving at the station.

In the 1950s there were firefighters Wilf Gouge and his son Charlie, who served until 1984 and ended up as a leading fireman.

Bob Kenchington was the officer in charge in the 1950s and 60s, retiring in 1961. His son Roger joined in 1960.

Richard Jones, who joined dad Derek at the station this year, is in fact the third generation of Fordingbridge firefighters – his grandad Len Jones was the sub officer in charge until his retirement in 1986.

Current Fordingbridge firefighter Dan Palmer also served alongside his father Dean for several years until Dean left the job in 2010.

Another serving firefighter Mark West served in the early 1980s with his Dad John and recently retired watch manager Steve Coles, who joined in 1970, also served alongside dad Ken, who joined in 1955, for more than 14 years.

Three members of the Brooks family served at different times – Alan served from 1969 until 1984, his eldest son Keith joined in 1985 for a year and his middle son Andy served from 1990-98.

Mr White said: “I think it just sums up what the fire station’s all about.

“We’re one big happy family, and we pass on our enthusiasm for the job to future generations.”