The head of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has landed a new job - in the Cayman Islands.

Paul Walker took on the role of chief fire officer in 2015 and was the deputy for six years before that.

He will leave Cornwall later this year to take on a one-year role as chief fire officer of the Cayman Islands Fire Service before taking retirement in 2020.

Paul has overseen a £27.5m capital replacement programme for the fire service.

In 2017, the fire chief was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and awarded a Queen’s Fire Service Medal.

Paul said: ’I am very pleased and yet a little sad to inform colleagues that I am moving onto a new challenge.

’It was always my intention to retire at the end of 2019 and securing this wonderful opportunity to share my 30 years’ fire and rescue service experience with international, domestic and airport fire and rescue service colleagues and to support their world-class fire and rescue service ambitions in the Cayman Islands provides a challenging, rewarding and enjoyable one-year transition to my full retirement.

’My past 10 years in Cornwall have been an amazing and fulfilling experience, with wonderful people in a beautiful place to live.’

Rob Nolan, Cornwall’s Cabinet Member for the environment and public protection, said: ’We want to thank Paul for his 10 years of brilliant service to Cornwall and for leading Cornwall Fire and Rescue and keeping our residents, visitors and businesses safe.

’We wish him every success in his new job in the Cayman Islands and his retirement next year.’