LANCASHIRE'S hero firefighters will be recommended for bravery medals when the return from earthquake-hit Haiti this weekend.

The county’s chief fire officer Peter Holland said the 'outstanding' bravery show by his officers in 'incomprehensible' conditions on the island meant that they deserved to be recognised.

The team, including Andy Barnes, the retired former Blackburn and Burnley crew manager, and Blackburn firefighter Mark Southworth, are expected back home this weekend.

It follows almost a week of exhausting work digging through the remains of buildings wrecked by the devastating earthquake in the capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding towns.

Mr Holland said: “I couldn’t possibly be more proud. They are incredible people that are doing incredible jobs.

“All of my 1,600 staff would join me in congratulating them on doing such a wonderful job and I will meet them personally when they arrive home to say that to them.”

The crew helped pull four people trapped for days inside the ruins of the country including a two-year-old girl who was rescued by being pulled out by her pigtails.

Mr Holland said: “I hope to recognise them in an appropriate way because they have been so incredibly brave. This has been a very dangerous mission because of aftershocks and the brutal nature of the initial earthquake.

“All firefighters are special people but these are extra special.”

Options available for bravery awards include a chief fire officer’s commendation or a Lancashire bravery medal.

On Wednesday the crews from Lancashire flew by helicopter to Petit Goave, around 50 miles south of Port-au-Prince, after reports of new building collapses. The team were unable to locate anyone alive in any of the buildings.

Today the crews were due to spend time administering first aid to the injured before preparing to fly home tomorrow.