PAST and present firefighters came together to mark the closure of Stourport Fire Station earlier today (Wednesday, February 12).

Crowds gathered at the station on Foundry Street to pay respect to the crew before they transfer to the new Wyre Forest Hub.

The £7.6 million emergency services hub on Stourport Road is now "up and functioning" and will also see firefighters from the Bewdley and Kidderminster stations transferred to the facility.

A post made by the Bewdley Fire Station Facebook page said: "Our fellow Firefighters at Stourport-On-Severn bade farewell to their old station as it closed today.

"The Fire Engine and Environmental Protection Unit were both relocated to the new station on the Stourport Road, Kidderminster from where they will respond from today."

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Stourport residents took to social media to pay tribute to the station, with some branding today "the end of an era."

One Facebook user said: "So sad to see this go. Have many memories here at the fire station with my grandad, dad and now husband involved within the service.

"It is going to be a change for everyone but hopefully a positive one at that".

Another said it's a "sad day for Stourport," whilst another said the closure is a "tragic loss".

A spokesperson from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: “The new Wyre Forest Station is now up and functioning with crews from the three fire stations involved, Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley, transferring over during the coming few days.

“There will be a formal opening of the new station in due course.”

Bewdley Fire Station carried out its final drill yesterday evening and is set to close on Monday.