A volunteer firefighter is hanging up his helmet after more than 30 years at Sutton Scotney, near Winchester.

Peter Castleman (54), who lives in nearby Stoke Charity, has been officer-in-charge of the part-time fire station since 1988.

The self-employed painter and decorator joined the service in 1970 when the village station was still based in a thatched barn in Oxford Road, now a store for the Coach and Horses pub.

The old barn stayed in use until 1972 when it was replaced by the present station a few doors up Oxford Road.

Peter, a grandfather, said: "It was thatched when I joined. We used to be turned out by a siren at the station and bells fitted in our homes. Now we have a personal alert like a pocket phone."

Peter has seen many changes over the years, but the station is as busy as ever. Last year, there were 200 callouts.

But he fears for the future of the village station, manned by 10 retained firefighters, as recruitment is at an all-time low.

"Now there is no industry in the village and employers are reluctant to let people go. I understand that, as it has cost me money turning out, although we are paid to counteract that.

"If people don't volunteer, it will no longer be a viable prospect for the fire service to run the station and it could close down, just like the village school and pubs. Then we would have to rely on cover from the cities.

"I don't think people realise how important it is to keep a part-time service in rural areas. The first five to ten minutes of any fire is crucial in containing it, putting it out quickly and preventing damage."

Peter said would-be firefighters needed to be "reasonably physically fit" and aged between 18 and 55.

"It is a rewarding job, but there is a lot of commitment and training, because it is no good being an amateur when you are saving people's lives, you also have your own life to consider."

When he joined the service, he was an employee of Lord Rank, the film and flour mogul, who owned Sutton Manor estate.

During his career, he has attended road accidents, air crashes, forest fires and blazing thatched cottages. He has also dealt with chemical spills, a train crash and flooding.

Wonston councillor, George Gray, a retired farmer, paid tribute to Peter's long service. "I have known him for most of his life and am sorry he is going.

"He is greatly respected, always cheerful and a good leader. The fire station has always been an integral part of Sutton Scotney and we hope it continues and wish his successor all the best."

* Firefighters are planning a 24-hour walkout on Tuesday morning despite talks going ahead this week.

Six days were set aside for fire employers to meet with Fire Brigades Union officials and discuss pay and modernisation.

But the FBU say employers are refusing to look at modernisation outside changes recommended in the Bain Report, an approach they say is wrong, dangerous and unjustified.

This was the first time the two sides met since November. Tuesday's strike will trigger a fresh round of industrial action, with two walkouts planned for the end of January and early February.