A TEAM running Lymm’s new fire education centre have won a special award for their work.

Since it opened last year, Safety Central, based on Cliff Lane, has welcomed more than 4,500 visitors of whom approximately 4,000 were children and young people.

The service helps prevent people of all ages from coming to harm in the home, on the road and in the community, and the opening of Safety Central means the service is now taking this work to a whole new level.

Working with partners the team uses Safety Central’s four realistic learning zones to develop tailor-made programmes for ‘at risk’ people such as parents with toddlers, primary school children, teenagers, adults with learning disabilities, carers and older people.

They were handed the support team excellence award at the Success, Talent, Achievement and Recognition (STAR) Awards, which recognise and honour those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the awards, and more than 100 people attended the ceremony, which was hosted by ITV Granada’s Lucy Meacock, on Thursday, 15 November at the Village Hotel in Warrington.

Safety Central Manager Mark Shone said: “It’s really nice to get the recognition from the service.

“It’s been a very busy couple of years getting the centre ready for visitors.

“Now we have bedded in and it’s working really well. the chief and the fire authority gave us, the team, a lot of autonomy to get Safety Central ready for visitors and I cannot thank them enough for that.”

Chief fire officer and chief executive Mark Cashin said: “It gives me immense pride to see the dedication and hard work our staff show each and every day to help keep the public of Cheshire safe.

“Congratulations to the winners, nominees and everyone who has been involved with this year’s STAR awards, they are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the inspirational work which goes on across the Service.

“This year we have held the awards, and after hearing the winners’ stories I feel extremely humbled and proud to be the Chief Fire Officer.”

Cllr Bob Rudd, chairman of Cheshire Fire Authority, said: “As a locally elected representative I regularly get to see the positive impact staff from all across the organisation have on our communities and I am justifiably proud of the Service and our staff.

“The success of those who have been recognised in the tenth annual Star Awards not only reflects on the individuals and teams but also their families and friends who support them at home.

“I would like to personally congratulate all those staff who have been presented with an award as well as all those who were nominated. They are a true credit to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.”