A ST ANNES firefighter has won a top bravery award for his part in the dramatic rescue of a farmer who had fallen into a grain silo.

Mick Spencer, a sub officer at St Annes Fire Station, braved choking dust to free farmer Anthony Clarkson who was trapped up to his neck in chicken feed in the silo at Wayside Farm, Whittingham, near Preston, on May 12 this year.

Mr Spencer, 32, from South Shore and fellow firefighter Steve Rogerson from Blackburn were called to the incident because they had specialist rescue equipment.

They lowered themselves down the silo on ropes from an aerial platform to put a harness on the farmer to prevent him slipping further into the grain.

Once he was secured they used their hands to dig away the grain while talking to Mr Clarkson to keep him calm.

They then cut a hole in the bottom of the silo to allow the grain to drain out and at the end of the meticulous five-hour operation succeeded in freeing Mr Clarkson unharmed.

Both firefighters received a commendation from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's chief officer Peter Holland for their bravery and professional expertise in dealing with the situation.

The ceremony, for what is the service's highest bravery award, took place on Monday (November 8) at Preston Fire Station.

In a separate ceremony on November 1, firefighters Donald Cross and Nigel Fryers based at Bispham and Gary Shaw who is based at Blackpool fire station received long service and good conduct medals awarded for 20 years' service of a consistently high standard.

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