A former Sittingbourne firefighter is to be given a guard of honour at his funeral in salute of his memorable 25 years with the brigade.

Members of Kent Fire and Rescue Service will today line-up to pay tribute to Bryan Shoveller who died on January 6, aged 80.

Bryan, from West Ridge, Sittingbourne, hit the headlines in 1965 when he volunteered to be lowered into a 325ft disused well in Stockbury to recover the body of a 14-year-old schoolboy who had fallen.

His actions led him to being commended by the Fire Authority, and a year later he received a British Empire Medal with Oak Leaves from Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lord Cornwallis.

This selfless feat was typical of Bryan who followed his brother Ken into the fire service by taking up a full-time post in 1959.

He served at numerous stations throughout Kent, including West Wickham - where he began his firefighting career - Sittingbourne and Strood.

Following his retirement in 1984, Bryan spent the next 30 years revelling in his more relaxed role as a grandfather-of-three and passionate gardener.

The immaculate front lawn of the home he shared with wife Sandra, to whom he was married for 52 years, resulted in six council commendations.

Ultimately, his unswerving courage and dedication in saving others may have cost Bryan his own life.

He died from asbestos-related cancer, Mesothelioma.

The condition was thought to have been caused by his exposure to the deadly substance during the line of duty.

Bryan leaves a widow, Sandra, 73, two children, Vanessa, 51, and Jon, 47, and three grandchildren Lucy, 25, Kelli, 23, and Luke, 20.

As well as being an inspiration to rookie firefighters and a help to the elderly people in his community, Bryan will be remembered for his sparkling sense of humour, as Jon explained.

“He loved a prank and spent his whole life trying to amuse people.

“Nobody was ever offended by him because it was just the way he was.”

Bryan’s funeral will be held at 4pm today at The Garden of England Crematorium in Bobbing.