A Finchley firefighter has been honoured for his long-standing dedication to the service.

Nicholas Shepherd received the long service and good conduct medal at a ceremony at the London Fire Brigade training centre in Southwark.

It marked the firefighter's 20 years' committment to the job.

Mr Shepherd, who lives in Milton Keynes, joined the brigade in 1987, learning the ropes at Southwark Training Centre. He was posted to Finchley fire station after his training, where he stayed for 13 years.

After a stint at Southgate fire station, he returned to Finchley again, where his role involves driving various vehicles, from the main pump to the bulk foam unit.

Speaking after the ceremony on June 20, he said: "I get a real sense of achievement from working as a firefighter in London, whether attending fires or road accidents.

"There have been big changes since I joined 20 years ago. We now have proper personal protection equipment, by which I mean fire gear and gloves, not the plastic gloves and leggings of old. And we have far superior equipment for dealing with road traffic accidents and other incidents such as flooding, collapsed buildings and rescues.

"Attitudes have improved a lot and are now much more appropriate for a brigade serving a community as diverse as London. It is a great job and one I fully recommend."