The fire service has been recognised for going "above and beyond" on the frontline during the pandemic.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has been named FIRE Magazine’s Emergency Service of the Year for 2020/2021.

The prestigious accolade was awarded to the fire service for being at the forefront of the country’s fire sector response to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff going above and beyond to keep communities safe.

This has included helping with the vaccination drive, helping with the fitting of P3 face masks and distributing food parcels to those shielding.

Chief Fire Officer Justin Johnson said: “I am delighted that the service won Emergency Service of the Year. It truly is deserved, and every member of the service has contributed to this fantastic achievement.

“Thank you to all of you for helping Lancashire achieve this award.”

Over 30 staff provided face fitting for P3 masks to hospital and social care workers while helped to deliver food parcels.

Staff assisted with the set-up of the temporary mortuary at BAE systems whilst others worked as fire safety regulators within the design, and build a team for the Lancashire Recovery Centre, based in Preston.

In December 2020, the service was the first to roll out Lateral Flow Testing before 328 members of the service helped to administer nearly 500,000 vaccines.

Minister for Fire, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh said: “The team in Lancashire has led the way, becoming the first fire service in the country to assist the NHS with the distribution of the vaccine and fully train their staff as vaccinators.

“By doing so, they have shown that those in fire services are ready, willing and able to go above and beyond to keep the British public safe, once again demonstrating they truly are the very best of us.”

An honour, last held by Derbyshire FRS in 2019, the Emergency Service of the Year gong was one of 16 Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards handed out on Friday 3 December in London, as part of FIRE Magazine’s inaugural annual event.