Six new firefighters have joined Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service after completing a tough eight-week course and a three-week trial 'on the job'.

Three of the new firefighters will be based at Slough Fire Station and two will be based at Maidenhead.

They learned core skills, technical rescue and breathing apparatus training and it all paid off on Friday when they attended a graduation ceremony at Pincents Manor Hotel in Reading on Friday.

During the event the new trainees showed off their new skills to by demonstrating the various equipment they will be using in their careers and taking part in a road traffic collision exercise.

Guests at the event included the Deputy-Lieutenant of Berkshire Richard Griffiths and the Mayor of Bracknell Cllr Tina McKenzie-Boyle, chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority Cllr Colin Dudley and Chief Fire Officer Trevor Ferguson.

Certificates and awards were also presented at the graduation ceremony, including the Silver Axe to to Sam Underwood for achieving the highest performance during the course and the Endeavour Award to Jack Brent.

Councillor Colin Dudley, chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said: “I am sure that there will be many challenges ahead in their careers. But they will face them emboldened by the training and knowledge they have acquired during the last 11 weeks.”

Trevor Ferguson, Chief Fire Officer, said: “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new firefighters and my congratulations on passing their initial training course. The course was very demanding and I know they all worked exceptionally hard to reach the required standards."