A NEW Chief Fire Officer has been appointed to take charge of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Gavin Ellis has been appointed to the top job, after being promoted from his role as the deputy chief fire officer.

Mr Ellis made his start with the service in the year 2000, when, aged 19 he joined the Northamptonshire Fire Service.

He transferred to Devon and Somerset in 2010 and he served as a station manager.

By 2011, Mr Ellis was promoted to group manager, and then in 2018 he was made chief of staff of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

In this role Mr Ellis led teams which inspected fire brigades across the country.

Mr Ellis returned to Devon and Somerset, where he served in a number of roles, before being made its chief fire officer.

The newly appointed fire chief said: "I am extremely proud and privileged to be given the opportunity to lead Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

"I am lucky to be aided by a fantastic workforce who are dedicated to providing the most efficient and effective services.

"I look forward to working with colleagues, partner organisations, and our communities as we continue our plans to make Devon and Somerset a safer place to live, work, and visit.”