PEEBLES’ longest-serving firefighter hung up his uniform for the final time this week, declaring it was time to give his younger colleagues a chance.

John Wilson, 56, retired as crew manager at the town’s fire station at midnight on Tuesday.

The father-of-three is leaving after working from the same base for 36 years, six months, two weeks and a day.

During his long and distinguished service, John, who has lived in Peebles all his life, has saved many lives - and experienced tragedy.

“I’m told that no-one in Peebles has been in the fire service longer than me,” he said. “You would really like to go on forever but unfortunately it can’t be done.

“I know some have carried on into their sixties but I just thought the time was right to retire gracefully and leave it to the younger ones.

“I am sad to be leaving - it will be a big miss. It’s been a big part of my life but I will have more time to spend with my wife Val, the grandchildren and the rest of the family.” John joined the service when he was 20, stepping up to the position of crew manager in 2004. He worked alongside his father Robert for many years and his brother Rab, 52, remains a firefighter in Peebles.

“I’ve attended thousands of fires in my time - the average is about 400 a year - and there have been some low points,” he said.

“We were on standby in Edinburgh in 2009 when one of our colleagues fell through the floor of a pub and was killed.

“Fortunately that is the only death I’ve been involved with in my time. Over the years I can’t remember many really bad fires in Peebles except on one occasion when there was a devastating blaze in the basement at the Hydro.

“I am proud that our efforts have saved lives and prevented more severe damage on many occasions.

“I’ve been lucky myself over the years as I’ve never been seriously injured - the worst I’ve had was when I once suffered a sprained ankle.

“Over the years it’s been interesting to see different methods of firefighting introduced and how the service has developed with protective clothing.” John has also been working as a cleansing foreman in charge of refuse vehicles for Scottish Borders Council and will continue in that role.

“I was a retained firefighter, so was on call 365 days a year and I had permission from the council to switch to my fire duties if I was needed,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of dinners missed over the years. You could be almost guaranteed we’d have a call out on Christmas Day and during the Beltane Festival.” John’s colleagues gave him a send off with a function at the Crown Hotel in Peebles last week, “I’ve appreciated working with all of them - and I am sure I will find it strange over the coming weeks not being involved in it all,” he said.