It was a visit to Odsal fire station covered by the Telegraph & Argus 18 years ago that gave six-year-old Mark Hayward his dream to become a firefighter.

Now, 18 years on, he has achieved his aim and has qualified with the London Fire Brigade.

Mark, 24, of Shelf, has following in the footsteps of his father, Mick, who spent 30 years with West Yorkshire Fire Service.

His mum, Anne, said Mark had joined London Fire Brigade after moving there with his girlfriend.

She said: “His dad took Mark to an open day at Odsal Fire Station. He was a typical little lad really, he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up.”

He studied computers at university and worked at Yorkshire Building Society, but then wanted to fulfil his childhood dream and become a firefighter, inspired by his visit to Odsal station all those years ago.

She said: “He applied for the London Fire Brigade after going down there, and he got in.

“He told us later that it always stuck in his mind, going on the fire engine “He said ‘I’m sure that inspired me’ and that’s what made me think that 18 years later he’s fulfilled his dream."

e-mail: james.rush @telegraphandargus.co.uk