The best of Norfolk's fire and rescue service staff were honoured at an annual awards evening last night.Among the winners was firefighter Atinc Horoz who received a Certificate of Commendation for his bravery in rescuing a woman from a house fire in Cawston, near Reepham, in November last year.

The best of Norfolk's fire and rescue service staff were honoured at an annual awards evening on Friday night.

Among the winners was firefighter Atinc Horoz who received a Certificate of Commendation for his bravery in rescuing a woman from a house fire in Cawston, in November last year.

Mr Horoz, of London Fire Brigade, was off-duty and out walking with friend Lou Derazza when the pair came across a fire in a bungalow.

While Mr Derazza raised the alarm and called 999, Mr Horoz and neighbour Mervyn Moy managed to get into the bungalow and rescue a woman from a bedroom.

Mr Derazza and Mr Moy have both received letters of commendation in recognition of their actions.

Meanwhile, Cromer firefighter David Abbs, 50, picked up an Outstanding Service Certificate for 30 years' service.

The married father-of-three, from Central Road, Cromer, who started as a retained firefighter in Cromer in 1979 and has remained there ever since, said: 'It's nice to get a bit of recognition. For 20 years' service we got a long service medal and I understand that Norfolk County Council gives you a medal for service at 35 years.'

The Outstanding Contribution Award for Fundraising went to Tim Love and Paul Green also from Cromer, who have raised �15,000 for the national fire service benevolent fund over the past four years.

There were also long service awards for two more Cromer firefighters, Ricky Wright (22 years) and Harry Khalil (20 years).

The county council's cabinet member for fire and community protection Harry Humphrey said: 'The annual awards evening is a chance for the outstanding contributions made by our fire and rescue service personnel to be officially recognised.

'All the recipients have in some way contributed to making the county council's fire and rescue service what it is - a service of which we can all be justly proud.'

Chief Fire Officer Richard Elliott said the awards evening was a chance for the service to officially recognise excellence within its own ranks and beyond.

He said: 'Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service staff consistently attain high standards and this is our chance to celebrate just a few of the more notable examples of that continued excellence.

'It is always a particular pleasure to see people receive their long service and good conduct medals which exemplify the dedication and commitment of the people who work for our service and my thanks go to the Lord Lieutenant, Richard Jewson for finding time to present them. This is also our chance to recognise the efforts of some of those in our community who deserve our thanks and appreciation.'