Silence honours two firefighters

Brian Wembridge and Geoff Wicker died in the explosion

Firefighters in East Sussex have been remembering two colleagues who died in an explosion two years ago.

Brian Wembridge, 63, and Geoff Wicker, 49, died in the blast at Festival Fireworks UK Ltd, in Shortgate, near Lewes on 3 December 2006.

Flags hung at half mast and there was a minute's silence at 1442 GMT to mark the moment the explosion took place.

"It was about remembering what lovely people Brian and Geoff were," said Fire Brigades Union spokesman Steve Huggins.

"Just about everyone in the fire service, certainly in East Sussex, remembers them because they were those kind of characters.

"Everyone has a story they can tell about them."

Thoughts with families

A main ceremony was held at East Sussex Fire and Rescue HQ in Eastbourne, with others at the rest of the county's fire stations.

Mr Huggins said firefighters' thoughts were still with the families of Mr Wembridge and Mr Wicker.

The owner of the fireworks depot, now renamed Alpha Fireworks Ltd, and his son have denied the manslaughter of the two firefighters.

Martin Winter, 50, and Nathan Winter, 23, both of Marlie Farm, Shortgate, pleaded not guilty at Lewes Crown Court on 2 October.

A provisional trial date has been set for 21 June next year.