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Fireman Sam banned as mascot by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue service
Image source, Mattel
A fire service has decided to stop using the TV character Fireman Sam as its mascot.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue service said it would no longer be using a male firefighter in its advertising because it puts women off from joining the fire service.
The character had been used by the fire service for open days and on its advertising products.
The chief fire officer Les Britzman said that the Fireman Sam TV series had stopped more women from joining the fire service and should be renamed 'Firefighter Sam'.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) supported Lincolnshire's decision saying that the character's name did not reflect the way fire service is trying to get more women into the job.
Ben Selby, chairman of Lincolnshire FBU, said: "We're not bothered about Fireman Sam.
"We're bothered by the subconscious message the term 'fireman' has created as an issue in our recruitment."
Image source, Astley Baker Davies Ltd/Entertainment One UK Ltd
It's not the first programme to be criticised for using the word fireman.
Peppa Pig referred to firefighters as 'firemen' in an episode called The Fire Engine.
London Fire Brigade posted a message in response to it on social media, saying: "Come on peppa pig, we've not been firemen for 30 years".
What do you think about this story? Do you think the fire service were right to ban Fireman Sam? Let us know in the comments!