A firefighter has been accepted as a member of a rescue team for the Olympics.

Crew manager at Sheppey fire station Jim Ashby will be part of both the white water canoeing and kayaking and mountain biking during the summer games.

He applied more than a year ago and received an email last week confirming his place.

To get a place as a volunteer, he had to have the relevant qualifications and, because of the swift water rescue training he has had through Kent Fire and Rescue Service, he was accepted.

The 40-year-old has already spent time doing international open days at Lee Valley Park in Essex where the white water events will be taking place and there will be lots more training in the coming months.

Mr Ashby will be taking two weeks’ annual leave to cover the sports.

For the canoeing he will be involved in any swift water rescue and for the mountain biking he will be involved in field of play recovery.

That will include helping any riders who come off their bikes and moving them to first aid points or to ambulances.

The mountain biking is taking pace at Hadley Park, also in Essex.

Mr Ashby said he decided to apply as it was an exciting opportunity and because he has the relevant skills to offer.

“They are good events and I’m really looking forward to it,” he added.

“It’s a one-off opportunity – the Olympics will never come to this country in my lifetime again and you can’t get any closer than being in the water and watching.

“I’m sure it will come round really quickly.

“It will be an interesting couple of weeks.”