A LONG-serving firefighter is set to retire.

Tony Callister has served as a firefighter at Barrow fire station for 29 years and last night he completed his final shift for the service.

Mr Callister joined the fire service in Barrow on January 1, 1990 and has never moved away from the Barrow station.

In addition to his many years as a firefighter, he is also a Barrow town councillor, representing the North Walney Ward.

He is the spokesman for licensing and public protection services and sport, as well as the chairman for the licensing committee, the licensing regulatory committee and the licensing sub-committee.

Between 2017 and 2018, Mr Callister also served as Barrow mayor.

He said he was privileged to have the opportunity to serve and protect those within his community.

Mr Callister said: “It has been a privilege to serve the Barrow community.

“I have met many friends while out on the job and forged good relationships with colleagues.

“I am sad to be leaving the service but happy to be moving on to the next part of my life.

“I had made some good friends at the station and would certainly go back to support in any project or initiative if asked.”

Barrow fire station manager Roger Exley said: “Tony has served his community for 29 years.

“He is a long-serving firefighter but was also mayor for a year and still does work as a councillor.

“He was good at his job, a steady firefighter who had served for a long time and worked with younger trainees.

“He was a good team player who served then people of Barrow for nearly 30 years.

“It will be a shame for us to lose him, he is someone with a lot of experience.”

Mr Exley said everyone at Barrow fire station wished Mr Callister the best for the future.