A FIREFIGHTER and his search and rescue dog are retiring at the same time after seven years together.

Darren Booth and search dog Spencer are a dedicated duo who have been together since 2008 when Spencer was a pup.

The will retire from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service on November 2.

Over the past four years Spencer, a springer spaniel, has been helping search teams to locate casualties.

Mr Booth and Spencer have attended many exercises and have been deployed to around 12 incidents nationally. They have gained licensing from the police to assist in the search for vulnerable missing persons.

Mr Booth, 55, has enjoyed almost 30 years with the Fire Service, working at Brighouse before serving at Cleckheaton, where he has spent the past 20 years.

Mark Hitchcock, technical rescue officer and station manager, said: "Over the years Darren and Spencer have become something of an ambassador and celebrity, deservedly so, attending many training and publicity events as well as multi and partner agency exercises.

"Darren’s unstinting enthusiasm, dedication and work ethic are commendable and both he and Spencer

will be greatly missed."

West Yorkshire will continue to host an urban search and rescue dog, Eddie, whose handler is firefighter Nigel Gill.