Double celebration for 'Frank'

From the archive, first published Tuesday 20th Mar 2007.

A fireman celebrates his birthday and retirement from the force this week.

Richard Spencer, better known as "Frank", celebrates his 50th birthday tomorrow and will hang up his helmet for good at Keighley Fire Station on Friday.

The crew manager has dedicated 28 years to the service, serving in Idle and Keighley, and will teach at Craven College, Skipton.

The granddad-of-one, of Silsden, said: "It beats a lot of other jobs, like any young lad, I wanted to be a hero.

"I finish work at 9am on Friday but I don't officially retire until midnight, right when the bar closes."