Firefighters across Suffolk have paid tribute to a Lowestoft colleague who died in a training accident a year ago.

The Suffolk Fire and Rescue and Service flew flags at half mast at all its fire stations in memory of Alan Soards who died aged 38 on a training exercise on October 2 2012 at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, Hertfordshire.

Mr Soards lived in Oulton and served at Lowestoft South Fire Station. Before becoming a full-time firefighter, he was crewman with the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI Lifeboat. A fire service spokesman said: 'Flags will fly at half mast on our fire stations in Suffolk to mark the first anniversary of the death of our friend and colleague firefighter Alan Soards. Alan is still missed and will be forever remembered.'