Since 1991, the Fire Fighters Memorial Charitable Trust has been remembering firefighters who have lost their lives while on duty protecting the communities they serve.

All three fire and rescue services in Wales held a joint International Fire Fighters Memorial Service on Sunday at the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Lime Grove Avenue, Carmarthen.

A central memorial stands on the south side of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

The national memorial has the names of 2,200 firefighters who have died in the service inscribed upon it. Forty-two firefighters from Wales are remembered.

Following the tragedy of the twin towers in New York, an International Day of Remembrance was adopted for firefighters. This service enables family and friends along with serving and retired firefighters and community leaders to pay tribute and remember these special people.

Chief Fire Officer, Doug Mackay, said: "I am honoured to be able to support the Wales fire and rescue service for this very special event, which will rightly continue to be held throughout various venues across Wales in future years. This will ensure that those we honour will continue to be remembered for their selfless and clearly courageous sense of duty to the public in need.

"In holding this act of remembrance, we proudly acknowledge and honour those who by their commitment to duty placed themselves at mortal risk, often for the sake of persons whose identity was unknown to them. The loyal and esteemed actions of those we remember were in the finest traditions of the fire service and leave us with a legacy of pride at being a part of a service to which they gave themselves."

The multi-faith service was taken by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services's chaplain, the Rev. Illtyd Thomas, and included a reading from the Qu'ran by a member of staff, Roshnara Ali.

Floral tributes were laid by the chair of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, Clr. Brian Hall; Chief Fire Officer of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Doug Mackay; Vice-chair of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, Clr. P. David; Chief Fire Officer of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Mr. Brian Fraser; Assistant Chief Fire Officer of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Colin Hanks; Fire Service Arwel Fowler, National Benevolent Fund; and Ms Sian James, MP Swansea East.