THE widow of fallen Poole firefighter Jim Shears fought back tears as she paid tribute to her “selfless” husband.

Carla Shears spoke publicly for the first time at the special memorial service held at Winchester Cathedral in honour of Jim, 35, and his colleague Alan Bannon, 38.

The brave pair, from Red Watch at St Mary’s fire station, Southampton, died tackling a blaze at a tower block in the city on April 6.

Hundreds of members of the firefighting community from around the country gathered for the emotional service, alongside families and friends of the pair.

Addressing the packed cathedral, Mrs Shears said Jim, father of Ruben, four, and Frankie, six, had been “strong, brave and calm” in the face of danger.

“It was because of these qualities Jim died as he did,” she said.

“Jim had a lot of strength to lend. He made you feel big when you were feeling small, and he listened and encouraged with his big, big heart.

“Jim made me feel special because he was.”

Jim’s father, Ed, also spoke during the 90-minute service, paying tribute to the “strong and sincere” bonds of the crew on Red Watch.

Another personal tribute was paid to “Britters” – Jim’s nickname at the station, after Britney Spears – by crew manager Pete Clarke.

He said Jim would always stick up for Dorset around the mess table and was well known for rattling on about his chickens.

In a voice cracking with emotion, Mr Clarke added: “I feel honoured to have known and worked with Jim.

“A man, a colleague, a friend, a husband, a father, a brother, a son – a true hero in every sense.”

Memories of Alan were shared by sister, Lin Trott, and crew manager, Mark Wood.

They remembered “Bert” as a man who “fitted so much into too short a life”.

“Red Watch will live with what happened that night for the rest of our lives,” said Mr Wood. “We will never forget our two boys.”

John Bonney, Hampshire’s chief fire officer, said Jim and Alan had made the “ultimate sacrifice” in protecting others.

Also attending the service were fire minister Bob Neill, Southampton MP John Denham, Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne and Dorset’s chief fire officer Darran Gunter.

A memorial stone to fallen firefighters was unveiled earlier at Hampshire Fire and Rescue headquarters in Eastleigh.