THE son of a New York fire chief killed in the World Trade Centre attack came close to tears as he accepted a bravery award on behalf of his father from Lancashire firefighters.

Fire chief Peter Ganci died when the twin towers collapsed on September 11 and has now been awarded a posthumous bravery medal from the county's fire service.

His son Chris Ganci is spending the week in Lancashire getting to know the people and places his father visited on several occasions after striking up a friendship with assistant chief fire officer John Williamson 15 years ago.

At a presentation ceremony held at Lancashire Fire and Rescue's headquarters, Chris received the medal and a cheque for nearly £32,000 which was raised by people from across the county and will go the Peter J Ganci Memorial.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's Bravery Medal is the highest ward for bravery the county can give. It has only been awarded once before, to a crew which saved two people from a house fire in Blackpool in 2000.

Mr Williamson said: "This medal is awarded in recognition of Chief Ganci's bravery and devotion to duty and also recognises the bravery of all the New York City firefighters who died at Ground Zero."

Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland, who presented the medal, said: "Mr Ganci showed tremendous bravery. He could see what was happening but went into the second tower to try and get his men. We all watched what was happening here and when we saw the towers collapse, our hearts sank because we knew what was going on inside.

"It sent a chill down our spines. I don't think Chris will mind me saying we would much rather be presenting this award to Peter in person."

Chris Ganci said: "I cannot tell you how much this award means to me and my family. Everyone has asked me how we are, and I always say OK.

"The truth is we are not OK - I have lost my father - but it is moments like this that almost make the pain go away. I am so pleased with the cheque I have received tonight. For me, it is a way of doing something good out of all the bad which happened. It is my way of reaching out to the other people who have suffered. It was inevitable I would experience contrasting emotions on this visit. Sure, there is no escaping that pain of reflecting on my personal loss and that of so many other good people.

"But then, by tracing my father's footsteps in Lancashire I have taken a whole lot of pleasure in getting to know the people and the places which meant so much to him. This bravery medal is an incredible legacy to him, as is the money for the memorial, and they serve to strengthen the special bond between my family, Lancashire and my country as a whole."

The Peter J Ganci Memorial aims to set up scholarships in communities where the firefighters who died were born and provide further education opportunities for existing firemen.