Lancashire Fire and Rescue is “delighted” to have been named fire service of the year at an awards ceremony.

On Tuesday (March 7) the fire service was named ‘fire brigade of the year’ at the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards in London, which celebrate Britain’s great cultural diversity. 

The service won the award for ‘outstanding work in championing diversity, making demonstrable progress in diversifying the talent pool and creating an inclusive working environment.’

Area manager John Rossen, emergency planning officer Esma Alicehajic and Faz Patel were at the ceremony to pick up the award.

Chief fire officer Justin Johnston said: “We are delighted to have won fire service of the year.

“Congratulations and thank you to all who have worked tirelessly and enabled us to win this award.”

The GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards were founded in 1999 by Asian Media Group to shine a spotlight on Britain’s most enterprising and talented black, Asian and minority ethnic high achievers.

More than 700 guests from all walks of life came together - senior politicians, influential business leaders, and military personnel mix with celebrities from the arts, film, TV and sport to celebrate and recognise Britain’s most enterprising and talented black, Asian and minority ethnic high achievers.

A spokesperson said: “Twenty years ago, the climate could not have been more different. Institutional racism had yet to be defined as a term, but we all knew it existed.

“There were very few or none black or Asian figures whether it be in policing, law, government or in the boardrooms of corporate Britain.

“It was in this backdrop that the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards were launched – to shine a light on the extraordinary, hidden talent that lay within ethnic minority communities.

“From medicine, the arts, law and the uniformed services to entrepreneurship and philanthropy, the greatest achievements of individuals are those that benefit us all.

“The awards spotlight remarkable people who use their talents for the greater good. They come from all walks of life and contribute in many fields.”