A long-serving Aberaeron retained firefighter has retired after 44 years service and said that he “enjoyed every minute of it”.

Huw Lloyd, who is known as Huw Pencarreg, followed in the footsteps of his father George, who served for 34 years with the retained fire service.

Mr Lloyd said he would be spending more time with his wife following his retirement on Monday, 17 September.

He said: “It will be a little bit of a change. It was a bit emotional on Monday when it was my last day with the boys.

“It is a long time. I’ve seen a lot of good things and a lot of bad things.

“I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Mr Lloyd was presented with a mounted silver fireman’s axe by chief officer Chris Davies.

Mr Lloyd’s wife Marina said: “It will be a big change, especially for Huw, but I won’t miss being woken up in the middle of the night and hearing the door slamming behind him, not knowing when he will be coming home.”

Aberaeron mayor Elizabeth Evans said: “The residents of Aberaeron are so grateful to Huw.

“His service has been outstanding and we all wish him well in his well-earned retirement.

“I certainly know his colleagues will miss him greatly and he has been a true inspiration to generations of firefighters. His heart was in the station and we all knew it.

“I have known Huw all my life and I know he will continue to give any spare time he has to helping us in the community.”