FIREFIGHTERS will form a guard of honour at the funeral of a veteran officer in Maldon next week.

Jim Sherwin was a full-time firefighter in Maldon and Chelmsford for more than 30 years.

After retiring from full-time service he worked for a further five years as a retained firefighter at Maldon.

Maldon fire station officer Martin Cable, who is one of the longest serving firefighters in Essex, with more than 40 years of service, will lead the honour guard.

Mr Sherwin’s son Chris said: “My older half-brother followed my father into the fire service and is now a watch manager at Great Baddow station.

“We were so touched when Station Officer Cable offered to provide an honour guard in recognition of my father’s many years of service and it will be a very poignant day.”

The funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church on Monday.