A father and daughter firefighting duo from Epping have spent the last 10 years tackling fires, accidents, rescues and more together.

Derek Whitbread, 60, and his daughter Hannah Kilden, 28, are based at Epping station, where Hannah's brother Jason also worked until he joined the RAF recently.

Last week, the London Fire Service incorrectly claimed to have the ‘only father-daughter firefighting duo in the country’ after Mark Archer and Victoria Archer-Lee fought a blaze together in east London.

Mrs Kilden, of Beaconfield Way, said: “We have had so many people saying ‘Did you see it in the paper?’"

Mr Whitbread is officer in charge at Epping station with 40 years of experience, and his daughter has worked with him for 10.

Despite the potential pressures of the job, Mrs Kilden said it is natural for her to work with her father.

She said: “It is something I always wanted to do, probably through my Dad, seeing him enjoy it.

“We have been on house fires together, me and my brother, with my Dad in charge.

“I have got two little boys and I could not watch them go into a fire, but I suppose my Dad sees I am well trained.

“With 40 years of experience, I wouldn’t question him going into anywhere.”

Mr Whitbread, of Beaconfield Road, echoed his daughter’s comments.

“Once they both went into a house fire and pulled someone out together.

“I had no concerns about sending them in because they know what they are doing.

“At the end of the day, they are doing a job and they are trained to do that job.

“If you cover them in cotton wool, they would not be happy about it.”

With Mr Whitbread now reaching the stage where he might hang up his helmet for the last time, he hopes his family continues the tradition of saving lives in Epping Forest.

When the London Fire Service were told of Mr Whitbread and his daughter, they referred to Mr Archer and Mrs Archer-Lee and said: “We thought that they were the country's only father/ daughter firefighter colleagues but we've received information that Essex Fire and Rescue Service achieved this 10 years ago and they both currently work at Epping Fire Station.”