THE son of a New York fire chief who died when the twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed is to visit Lancashire next week.

Chris Ganci will collect a cheque for £32,000 from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

The money was collected by firefighters in the wake of the September 11 atrocities, which resulted in the deaths of many firemen in New York, including Peter Ganci, the city's fire chief.

The money is to be donated to a memorial fund named after Peter Ganci and is part of £54,000 raised across Lancashire through a variety of charity events, the main one being a walk across Lancashire which stopped at every fire station in the county.

Peter Ganci was a close personal friend of Lancashire Fire and Rescue's assistant chief fire officer John Williamson. The pair struck up a friendship after taking part in exchange visits, several of which involved Peter Ganci visiting Lancashire and meeting many local firemen.

Mr Williamson said: "There is no doubt our appeal struck a chord with ever-generous Lancashire people. Their donations will be channelled into two vitally important charities set up to alleviate the suffering that remains in the wake of the disaster.

"In a magnificent gesture to celebrate the close bond between the Ganci family and Lancashire, mirroring that which exists between the USA and the UK, Continental Airlines has waived the cost of Chris' flight."