Cambridgeshire’s chief fire officer Chris Strickland has hung up his uniform after more than 40 years. 

His successor has been named as Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service existing deputy chief executive Matthew Warren.

Mr Strickland began his career in Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, where he served for 24 years.

Switching over to Cambridgeshire in 2007, he was promoted to deputy chief in 2008, then moved up to chief fire officer by 2016.

Among his honours, Mr Strickland was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 2020.

Mr Strickland said: “I consider myself honoured and extremely privileged to have been able to lead the service for the past eight years.

"I am proud of what we have collectively achieved over that time and will look back with particular pride and fondness at the 17, sometimes challenging but always rewarding, years I have spent in Cambridgeshire."

Councillor Edna Murphy, chairwoman of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority, applauded Mr Strickland's leadership and years in public service.

Upon retirement, Mr Strickland is  looking forward to taking a step back to enjoy some much-deserved time with his family.