Firefighters who were “tested to the limit” when they rescued elderly residents in a serious fire at a Shropshire care home were praised for their efforts which led to everyone getting out alive.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer John Redmond also paid tribute to staff at the Extra Care home in Madeley, Telford, for their professionalism in being so well prepared for such an emergency.

Two firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have been picked for the England Fire Services Football Squad.

Goalkeeper Steve Taylor and midfielder Jamie Hammonds both represented their country in a recent match against the Royal Marines held in Exeter.

The two players, from Telford, who are regulars in the Shropshire firefighters football team, were successful after going for trials in Leicestershire, said team manager Gary Thompson.

The venue for a large scale training exercise by Shropshire firefighters involving a simulated chemical spillage has been moved from Oswestry to Ruyton X1 Towns.

The routine training event was set to go ahead at the Cheese factory at Maesbury Road Industrial Estate in Oswestry this Thursday evening (October 8).

But due to work commitments at the factory, the venue has been changed to Pentons storage yard at Ruyton X1 Towns.

Organiser Ashley Brown, a Retained Support Officer at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, thanked Pentons for stepping in at the last minute.