Tributes have been paid to a Wiltshire firefighter after his 'sudden' death.

Dean Hardy, from Amesbury Fire Station, died at his home on Friday, August 18.

Chief fire officer Ben Ansell described Dean as a 'highly valued member of our service'. The fire station's Union flag will be flown at half-mast until 8am on Thursday August 24.

In a Facebook post, he said: “It is with great sadness that I confirm, on behalf of his family, the sudden passing of one of our colleagues. 

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“Firefighter Dean Hardy from Amesbury Fire Station passed away on Friday August 18 at his home. I speak on behalf of the entire service when I say that we are all shocked and saddened by this news, and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

“Dean joined Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in March 2023 and was a dedicated and highly valued member of our service. He brought with him significant experience from his primary employment as an MoD firefighter.

“In remembrance and as a mark of respect, our Union flags (service standard at SHQ) are be flown at half-mast, at all workplaces that have them, from 8am Sunday August 20 until 8am on Thursday August 24 (the day after Amesbury’s weekly drill night), when they will return to full mast.”