A March man is among 20 people switching careers to join the frontline fire service in Cambridgeshire.

Liam Siddons, 28, of March, has been taken on at Dogsthorpe fire station having worked as a youth support worker and an on-call firefighter at March for four years.

He said he never thought to become a firefighter because he had asthma.

“I saw the banner at March Fire Station and passed all the fitness and necessary medical tests so joined the on-call service,” he said.

?”I found it more rewarding than anything I’ve ever done before and I just wanted to do it full time.

“I like working in the community and meeting people. Having worked within the youth industry, the role of a firefighter is not too dissimilar.

“You only need to see how much young people look up to firefighters to see the value it gives to the community and I wanted to be a part of that.”?

Liam had to re-sit two GCSEs to become a whole time firefighter and said his family are extremely proud of his achievement after seeing how much effort he put in.

He will begin his career with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) following an intensive 11-week training course.

Liam is newly married and said being away from home has been tough during training but it is worth it.

He said: “Every day has been a challenge but it’?s been brilliant. I’m now really looking forward to getting out there and using the skills I’ve learned.”

Chief fire officer Chris Strickland said: “There are many challenges that a firefighter in a modern fire and rescue service must face.

“As well as the physical challenges at operational incidents, they must also work closely and engage with communities to deliver lifesaving advice.

“The role of a firefighter has changed and this diverse group of people from different backgrounds and all walks of life shows just how wide the appeal is to become a firefighter and deliver the valuable work we do in the community.”