Mr Tucker joined the fire service as a 16-year-old

Britain's longest-serving retained firefighter has retired after attending more than 8,000 call-outs.

Ian Tucker, who is station officer at Glastonbury, has served 44 years with the brigade.

A second-generation fireman, the 60-year-old says he will miss the camaraderie of the service but is looking forward to getting more sleep.

"I'll miss the comradeship, the banter and that little bit of excitement when the bleeper goes off," he said.

One of the many blazes he has fought over the years was at his own home, just outside the town.

"It did teach me quite a bit about what people think is valuable in their house.

"Subsequently to that when we're salvaging, I realised that if you take the things that are on top of their sideboards and mantelpiece - those are the things that people value most in their homes.

"The fact that their three-piece suite and curtains and table have gone are not as important if you keep those mementoes."

Family tradition

Neil Gibbins, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Look at the stages he has gone through in life: Giving up time, being away from his family, giving up the pleasures lots of people get away from work... to be a retained firefighter."

However the firefighting tradition has continued in the Tucker family, with his son David, 33, also serving as a leading firefighter with the force.

Ian Tucker will continue to act as fire officer for Glastonbury Festival this year, a role he has held for 28 years.

He will also continue running his own business supplying - appropriately - water.