AFTER nearly 80 years in their iconic home, Worcester's firefighters have relocated to a new station.

The city's fire crew moved out of its Copenhagen Street base for the final time today and transferred to a new state-of-the-art station in Great Western Business Park.

There were mixed emotions among the dozens of current and past firefighters present at a parade in Copenhagen Street.

A convoy of fire engines travelled to the new purpose-built facility off Tolladine Road after an emotional goodbye to the site where the city's firefighters had operated from since 1936.

Watch commander Keith Peters, who worked in the old station for more than 25 years, said: "There are a lot of fond memories but it's time to move on.

"We're a modern fire service and we need a facility that reflects that.

"Unfortunately this place is no longer fit for purpose in this day and age.

"There's a real buzz among the staff at the moment ahead of the move.

"We're all a big family and look out for each other, and we'll have the same positive attitude, just in a different building."

Former 999 services manager Pamela Davis said: "I think change is good. Buildings can close but it's the people who make the job."

Another retired firefighter who attended was Mike Pearson - who was stationed in Copenhagen Street from 1960.

His father Joe served at the base between 1958 and 1974 and the family lived in flats at the station.

Mr Pearson said: "The friendship of everyone in the whole place was fantastic."

Roy Corbet spent three decades in Worcester, between 1960 and 1990.

He said: "It's a sad day as I've got great memories of the station and it was absolutely wonderful.

"It was a big social club with a fire station attached."

From 1979 to 1994, Geoff Winkworth was stationed at the city's fire station and helped introduce new technology across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

"It was a community of itself in the city and that was an extremely happy time," he said.

Mr Winkworth moved on to be deputy commandant in Moreton in Marsh.

The new station will offer improved modern amenities as well as a top-class training rig.

This will allow for more advanced training exercises and allow firefighters to further prepare for the varied types of fires and rescues they face.

The building also has provision for the Young Firefighters Association and has multi-use lecture facilities.

Chief fire officer Mark Yates said: "The new Worcester fire station is a fantastic improvement for the service and the improved training facilities will help us continue to deliver first-class firefighting and rescue services to the communities we serve."