A NEW senior fire officer has been appointed by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service..

Simon Furlong, who currently works for with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, will replace assistant chief fire officer Nathan Travis when he takes over as deputy chief fire officer from Colin Thomas, who is retiring after 31 years.

Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge said: “I look forward to working with Simon to ensure the fire service remains high-performing and continues to make a positive difference to everyone in our county”.

Mr Furlong will join the service on September 1.