Couple choose firefighting over romance

The couple are working together during the fire strike

A couple have decided to celebrate their wedding anniversary fighting fires rather than enjoying a romantic weekend in Paris.

RAF Corporal Mark Dawson and Senior Aircraftswoman Ange Dawson had planned to spend a weekend in the French capital to celebrate their first 12 months together.

Instead the couple are working a 12-hour day shift as emergency cover for the final day of the firefighters' strike.

Cpl Dawson, 27, a trained RAF firefighter based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, said: "We both realise the seriousness of the situation - we had planned to go away this weekend but that's out of the window now."

For once, I get to boss her around

Cpl Mark Dawson

SAC Dawson, 29, who is based at RAF Bentley Priory in Stanmore, Middlesex, has been drafted in to provide emergency fire cover and has unexpectedly found herself working with her husband.

Cpl Dawson said: "I'm actually the BART commander and Ange is a member of the team.

"For once, I get to boss her around."

Quiet meal

SAC Dawson said: ""Normally, we both work shifts so at times we don't get to see as much of each other as we would like.

"It's great that we can be together.

"It was a big surprise getting sent here with him."

The couple, who were married in Paphos, Cyprus, last year, said they would make do with a quiet meal together once they finished shift.