CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service has been praised by leading gay charity Stonewall as the north west’s best performing public sector organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff.

The award recognises the achievements of the north west in the workplace equality index, an annual list through which Stonewall benchmarks LGBT-friendly employers.

This award comes just a week after the service came 31st in the Stonewall top 100 list and was the highest placed emergency service in the UK.

Chief fire officer Paul Hancock said: “We are delighted to be recognised as a diversity leader among public bodies in the north west.

"This reflects a great deal of hard work by our elected members, officers and staff who are committed to ensuring that all colleagues feel able to be themselves at work and help to make their communities safer.”

Chairman of the service's LGBT staff network, Matt Maguire, was named north west role model of the year by Stonewall, for the work he has undertaken to raise the profile of LGBT issues within the fire and rescue and externally.

Matt took on the role of LGBT champion in 2010 and revived the Service’s staff network, Firepride, attracting new members, setting up a vibrant straight allies scheme and ensuring the service’s presence at community events such as Chester, Manchester and Warrington Pride events.

Matt said: “This is a real honour and reflects the progress we’ve made around LGBT equality, which means the organisation is better placed to respond to the issues faced by its employees and the LGBT community.

Firefighters, support staff and volunteers come from all walks of life.

“For LGBT employees, knowing that the organisation and colleagues will support them to be themselves means they can focus on the job.”