MANEA Fire Station’s newest recruit is proudly following in his father’s footsteps.

Account manager George Burton, 18, will complete his training to become an on-call firefighter in July.

He will sit behind a desk during the day and tackle blazing infernos at night.

His father, Tony, has balanced his full-time job in manufacturing with being an on-call firefighter for the past few years.

George said: “My dad got me into it. The stories you hear sound really exciting and it is a really good thing to have on your CV.

“You give them the times you are available and they give you a pager.

“When it goes off you have to stop what you are doing and go out.”

George started training last year and completed his written tests before his 18th birthday.

He has undergone gruelling physical examinations to prove he has what it takes to make the grade.

He said: “We do the training in full kit and helmet and the treadmill challenge was particularly hard.

“But my dad passed it so I could not fail.”

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is holding a recruitment open day at Manea Fire Station, in Westfield Road, Manea, next Saturday from 10am until 1pm.

On-call firefighters based at the station will be present to talk about their experiences in the role.

For more information go to www.cambsfire.gov.uk/recruitment or call 01480 444500.