STAFF from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have been given a prestigious honour for their work which aims to reduce road traffic collisions for military services.

The team from the fire service have been working on a new safety initiative 'Survive the Drive', after statistics showed Armed Forces, Royal Navy, RAF and Marines personnel were more likely to be involved in a car crash than civilians.

Watch manager Chris Boston, station manager Laura Pratt, SAFE South West charity co-ordinator Steve Smith, and crew manager Dan Lester, were awarded the Vice Chief of Defence Staff Commendation alongside the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The awards were made by Admiral Tim Fraser CB ADC at a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence Main Building in Whitehall at the end of October.

The Survive the Drive training programme is being delivered in military bases across the south west.

Ms Pratt said: "Survive the Drive builds on the strong partnership network between defence and the fire and rescue services.

“We are delighted to receive this commendation and to have played a part in creating this valuable addition to road safety initiatives."