FIREFIGHTERS have said farewell to a "highly respected" colleague and friend who has died.

Watch Commander Mark Stockton spent 35 years in the fire service and served on Blue Watch at Cowcaddens Fire Station.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, those who could attend his funeral were limited in number.

But yesterday Cowcaddens station paid an emotional tribute to Mark with a parade as his cortege passed.

Dozens of fire fighters lined the area outside the station to applaud as the hearse went by.

Martin Blunden is the Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

He said: “Mark Stockton was a highly respected and experienced Watch Commander on Blue Watch at Cowcaddens Fire Station.

“He joined the service in 1985 and spent his whole career protecting the communities of Glasgow and the West of Scotland."

Mark, a husband and father to two sons, died in April after a long illness.

He was one of the Cowcaddens crew who fought the blaze at the Glasgow School of Art in 2014 but had served a career protecting people and homes across the city.

In an article remembering the night of the fire at the Mac building, Cowcaddens firefighter Alex Muir mentioned Mark's bravery.

He wrote: "Our crew at Cowcaddens is a long-established, closely knit, very experienced unit.

"Five of our firefighters are over 50 years old and have been together for more than 25 years.

"We’ve been through a great deal together and are as close as family."

On the night of the blaze, he added: "Two of our officers, Mark Stockton and Alan Morson, supported us on the stairs, keeping an eye out for their boys and ignoring the dreadful conditions."

His colleagues said Mark will be sorely missed.

Martin added: “His colleagues were invited to parade in front of the stations on the day of his funeral, as the cortege passed, as a mark of respect and all flags at SFRS premises were lowered to half-mast.

“He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with Mark's family, particularly his wife and two sons.