A DUDLEY fireman has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to West Midlands Fire Service.

Gavin Pardoe, who is watch commander for the Burton Road’s Purple Watch, was awarded the top accolade at the West Midlands Fire Service Aspire 2012 Awards.

He was presented with the award by Vij Randeniya, Chief Fire Officer for the West Midlands, for his instrumental role in the success of the Blazers project – which is run in Dudley borough primary schools.

The initiative which Gavin helped launch in his own time, aims to educate pupils aged between nine and 11 years-old on the benefits of exercise and healthy eating during an after-school club, which also includes a fire safety message.

Twelve months on, the six-week project has been a huge success and there is now a waiting list of schools and firefighters wanting to take part.

Gavin, from Kinver, has also managed to secure extra funding from Dudley Council and gain sponsorship from supermarkets to enable its continuation.

He said: “I was very proud to get the award, it was a great honour - my daughter has also taken it into her school to show off. “I’m also very proud of the project. It has been going for a year and the uptake has been fantastic.

"The children are all really enthusiastic, which is great to see. They look up to firefighters as being healthy and fit, so if we can get our message through to them then we’ve done our job.”