A Sussex firefighter has been named airport fire service student of the year.

Gatwick-based Clinton Smith, 28, achieved the highest marks of 21 students taking the national British Airports Authority fire service training course.

But he found classes so hard he considered leaving.

He said: "The first few days were a baptism of fire. I underestimated the physical side of the work and the theory was very demanding. It all came as a shock to the system and I did consider quitting."

The eight-week course was designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in the tactics and techniques of dealing with airport emergencies.

BAA Group Senior Airport Fire Officer Ralph Issott said: "The course is extremely demanding and very intense. We really do push students hard.

"For Clinton to come out with one of the highest scores ever, especially having had no previous experience in the fire service, is an exceptional achievement."

Gatwick Station Officer Philip Rowsell, also one of the training instructors, said it was a great coup for the airport.

Clinton started work at Gatwick in 1990 as an apprentice mechanic and worked on airport vehicles for ten years.

He decided to become a firefighter after carrying out work on the airport's fire appliances.