Funeral honours for firefighter

Firefighters carry Brian Wembridge's coffin into All Saints Church

Family, friends and colleagues packed an East Sussex church to pay tribute to a firefighter who was killed in an explosion at a fireworks depot.

Brian Wembridge's coffin was carried on a fire engine to All Saints Church from the station at Crowborough with colleagues forming a guard of honour.

Hundreds more watched the service on screens set up outside the church.

Mr Wembridge, 63, died alongside retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, in the incident near Lewes.

They were among the first on the scene of the fire and explosion at Festival Fireworks UK on 3 December.

Mourners at the funeral included Lewes MP Norman Baker and Chief Fire Officer for East Sussex, Des Pritchard, who led the funeral cortege through Mr Wembridge's home town.

Brian Wembridge served more than 40 years with the fire brigade

They heard a personal tribute from retired senior firefighter George Hammond, who worked alongside Mr Wembridge for part of his 45-year career.

"He was always there at the heart of everything," he said.

"Anything you asked him to do, it was done - you never asked twice."

But he recalled his friend saying to him once that there was no danger in the job because firefighters were so well trained.

"Everybody here would probably agree with that - we believe we are immortal because of the training we get," he said.

Mr Wembridge retired from the fire service in 1994 after 34 years service - then returned the next day as a photographer and cameraman.

His film and photographs were regularly used by BBC South East Today and the news website as well as for training purposes.

A fire officer sheds a tear for her colleague killed on duty

The Rev Alex Whiteford, who conducted the service, said: "Brian's job meant everything to him...but he was first and foremost dedicated to his family as a loving, caring husband and father."

Mr Whiteford's daughter married one of Mr Wembridge's sons, Mark, last year, whose tribute to his father was read to the congregation.

They also heard a tribute from his wife, Lesley, and the couple's other son, Chris.

"How do I begin to express how life will be without you?" said Mrs Wembridge.

After the service, the guard of honour lined the streets once more as family and friends left for a private cremation.

Mr Wicker's funeral is due to take place in Mayfield, East Sussex, on Thursday.

The cause of the fireworks blaze, in which 12 people were injured, including nine firefighters and a police officer, is under investigation.