Staff at a North East Fire and Rescue Service have been praised after it was announced they could be recognised as the best in the entire country.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) staff have been congratulated after being nominated in three categories for the industry’s top awards ceremony.

The Service is one of just five to be nominated in the decorated category of ‘Emergency Service of the Year’ in the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards.

It could see the North East Fire and Rescue Service crowned as the best at what they do in the entire country when the ceremony is held in December.

But the success doesn’t stop there with the Service also nominated in the categories of ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Project of the Year’.

Those nominations are specifically for the TWFRS team who helped stage the UKRO Festival of Rescue event in Newcastle and Gateshead last month.

Now the most senior firefighter at the Service has praised the staff and volunteers who help make the organisation tick.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther said: “I’m so proud of all our staff’s hard work and dedication especially during the Coronavirus pandemic.

“There were over 150 nominees in 16 categories so the competition was tough and to be nominated in three categories is a fantastic achievement.

“I truly believe we are the best Fire and Rescue Service in the country and so it is no surprise to me that we have been nominated in the top category.

“And having been at the Festival of Rescue last month, I witnessed first-hand all the hard work that went into staging the event.

“It was a fantastic showcase of the expertise it takes to be a firefighter and we are so proud of everyone who made it happen.

“We hope that nominations for awards such as these can make the region as proud as I am and shows just how passionate we are to create the safest community.”

The Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards are ran by FIRE Magazine and, after cancelling last year’s awards due to Coronavirus, they are back.

The awards ceremony takes place on 3rd December 2021 at One Great George Street in Westminster London.