WEST Somerset fire crews were this week paying tribute to a former colleague who raised thousands of pounds for charity,“and was a ray of sunshine to everyone who knew her.”

Williton’s first female firefighter, 40-year-old Erin Fairhead, died last Wednesday (May 27) after what was described as “a long battle with depression”.

Over 1,000 tributes poured in from friends and colleagues remembering her as someone who brought “joy and compassion” and a dedicated firefighter who went “above and beyond” in giving her time and effort to the local community.

Erin made the headlines in 2016 when she set a Guinness world record by becoming the fastest woman to run the London Marathon in full firefighting kit. She finished the course in four hours nine minutes, and raised over £3,000 for fire service charities.

A fire service spokesman said: “She brought joy and compassion to the station and was a ray of sunshine to everyone who knew and met her. As a firefighter, she showed dedication, professionalism and strength of character.

“Erin was a Swimsafe coach, an initiative set up by the fire service to teach youngsters how to swim and crucial life-saving skills. She must have helped hundreds of children gain these skills over the years she worked with the programme.

“Every time we needed help at the fire station with a school group, Cubs, Brownies or Scouts, she would give her own time to help teach the kids fire safety and show them round the fire station.”

The spokesman said that the news had been received with a “heavy heart” and added: “Erin will be greatly missed by all of us and will always be part of the fire service family.”