Two former Malmesbury firefighters, who between them served the brigade for 58 years, have been honoured by colleagues who commissioned an ornate bench in their memory.

Steve Mills, 45, an on-call firefighter for 15 years, died in April 2011, following an industrial accident.

He was working as a fire services manager at Cotswold Airport in Kemble when he was fatally struck by a high-pressure gas cylinder that is believed to have become decompressed.

Martyn Snell, 68, died in March, after being diagnosed with cancer. He began his career as a firefighter in Malmesbury in 1969 and served for 31 years, before retiring as officer in charge of the station.

Town councillor Mr Snell also worked as a hydrant inspector for Wiltshire Fire andRescue Service, before retiring in 2012, giving him a total service to the brigade of 43 years.

Malmesbury firefighters, who wanted to pay tribute to their former colleagues, chipped in for the wrought iron bench.

Crafted by ex-firefighter Roy Evans and son Chris, the bench has now been placed around a tree within the fire station grounds.

Last week relatives and friends of both men gathered there to see the bench dedicated by fire service chaplain the Rev John Maxwell.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Routh-Jones said: “The memorial bench is a wonderful tribute to Steve and Martyn, who loved working for the fire service. To lose them both within a few years was a massive loss to their families, but also to the service and to Malmesbury.

“The bench gives views of the river, so I am certain that local people will enjoy using it for many years to come.”