STOURBRIDGE fire fighters are poised to scoop a top accolade if they get online community backing.

The town's fire station has made the shortlist for the West Midlands Fire Service 2012 Station of The Year award which will be decided by a public vote.

Crews from Stourbridge are urging people to visit the West Midlands Fire Service website to register a vote for the St John's Road station.

Stourbridge station commander, Chris Wood, said: "Being nominated is fantastic, we are trying hard to support the community and winning would be a feather in the cap that the community could be proud of."

Stourbridge is up against bases in Aldridge, Binley, Bilston and Sheldon and the winner will be announced at the West Midlands service awards ceremony in October.

West Midlands Fire Service chief fire officer, Vij Randeniya, said: “I am extremely proud of what all crews have been able to achieve in serving their communities, especially at this time of economic uncertainty.

“Serving the public and helping to keep them safe is at the heart of everything we do and I hope communities across the West Midlands will now support us in the final public vote."

The five short listed stations have been selected by a panel of experts for their crews' work in serving the community and making the region safer.

The final decision is, for the first time, in the hands of the public who have until Friday September 7 to register their vote.

Members of the public can vote by logging on to www.wmfs.net and following the links to Aspire 2012.