SUPERMARET employees are swapping their Tesco uniforms for firefighter liveries in a bid to protect their community.

Ian Noble and Darrel Drake, who work at Tesco in the Grove Shopping Centre, Witham, have completed their training to become on-call firefighters at Witham Fire Station.

The staff, who continue to work at the supermarket, will be released to attend any incidents during their normal working hours.

Darrel is a customer assistant and has worked with Tesco for ten years while Ian, who has worked for Tesco for 16 years, is a trade manager at the store.

Ian said: “My great-grandfather was a firefighter for his whole working life in Ireland.

“When I saw the opportunity to keep my day job and become an on-call firefighter at the same time, I couldn’t turn it down.

“It makes every day exciting as you never know what will happen but you can be sure that you’ll be serving and protecting the local community in one way or another.”

Kelly Smith, people manager at the store, said: “When Essex County Fire and Rescue Service approached us with the idea of releasing colleagues we thought it would be a great way to support the local area as well as giving our colleagues development opportunities.”

Acting Chief Fire Officer Adam Eckley at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service added: “Our on-call stations often need daytime cover, so engaging with local businesses to release their employees is a partnership which everyone benefits from.

"Ian and Darrel should be incredibly proud of what they are doing and we are thankful to Tesco for working with us to create these opportuni - ties.”

The fire service and Tesco are now in talks to roll out the pilot scheme to other locations across the county.

On-call firefighters must live or work within five minutes of the fire station so that, when paged, they are able to respond quickly.

To find out more, call 01376 576698, email oncall.recruitment@essex- fire.gov.uk.