Fire chiefs have poured cold water on traditional firefighter weddings.

They have told staff: "It will cost you a tenner to wear our uniforms in future."

Previously, firefighters were allowed to don the dark blue double-breasted uniforms free of charge at the marriages of workmates.

It enabled them to form a smart guard-of-honour as the bride and groom walked under an arch of chrome axes at the church door after the ceremony.

But now a £10 hire fee for each suit has been brought in to pay for dry cleaning.

Horsham leading firefighter Trevor Davey fears the colourful scene pictured could now die out.

He said: "It is a shame, because fewer people will be likely to have weddings like that if they've got to pay.

"It's a pity when traditions like this are inclined to lapse, which I feel will happen.

"If some people in a crew decide not to pay the charge, then the whole thing will collapse, because it's all or nothing really."

Keymer firefighter Nick Smith, 30, pictured with bride Rachel Rivers on June 13, said: "I think it's a shame, but in some ways I can see it can be justified."

West Sussex Fire Brigade spokesman, assistant divisional officer David Bates, said the charge, which came into force on July 1, was introduced after an audit.

He said: "Firefighters are not issued with dress uniforms and the ones held in stock obviously need cleaning after being worn for a day at a wedding.

"The cost of dry cleaning them is about £10, and if people want to use them for personal use, which includes weddings, it's only reasonable that they should pay the charge, rather than the brigade or the taxpayer."

Aspokesman for the East Sussex fire brigade said dress suits were automatically issued to their staff on joining the service.

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