THE opening of the new Dursley Community Fire Station was a "momentous occasion" for the town, said the chief fire officer for Gloucestershire Terry Standing.

Mr Standing made the journey up from Cornwall, where he is temporarily looking after their fire service, especially to be at the opening of Dursley’s fire station on Wednesday.

He said he couldn’t contain his delight that such a station had been built in the county.

"This new station is not just excellent for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service it is excellent for Dursley. Hopefully the community will welcome the facility into their arms and see it as their own," said Mr Standing.

He thanked the 17 retained fire fighters in Dursley for their patience living with the conditions of the old and decaying fire station in Castle Street, which was knocked down last week to make way for new Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Sainsbury’s paid for nearly all of the £1.6 million to build the new fire station as part of an agreement when buying the land in Castle Street from Stroud District Council.

Lord Lieutenant Henry Elwes, who officially opened the fire station last Wednesday, said this was an excellent saving for the fire service as they have gained a first class facility for almost nothing.

Liet Elwes said: "Gloucestershire is the most cost efficient fire service in the country.

"A great example of the cost efficiency has been this fire station. This is a real saving for Gloucestershire.

He added: "This is a great facility with first class equipment. But what I like most about it is that you can share this facility with the community and allow them to use it. That is what community is all about – sharing."

Local dignitaries and members of the public were given a sneak preview of some of the new equipment stored at the new station with a demonstration of the Mass Decontamination Disrobe Unit (MDD), which can be deployed to anywhere in the county for chemical spills.

They were then taken on a tour of the station, which the Gazette exclusively showed its readers two weeks ago.

Margaret Nolder, county councillor for Cam and Dursley said: "After seeing the new station I am absolutely thrilled.

"It really is fantastic and has everything that the people of Dursley and the surrounding area need.

"The reaction I have witnessed when people see the new station is absolute delight, so I really do think this is going to be great for the town."