FIREFIGHTERS from New York have sent a big 'thank you' to their Lancashire counterparts, after they raised thousands of pounds to help the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

More than £54,000 was collected for the families of the firefighter victims at the World Trade Centre two months ago.

Hundreds of firefighters died when the towers collapsed while they were battling to rescue people.

Lancashire firemen raised just over £28,000 on a charity walk which took in 40 of the county's fire stations over four days.

The rest of the funds was money sent to fire stations by the public, and collected by firefighters themselves.

The New York team has sent a heartfelt thank you back to their colleagues for the funds.

Chief William Wiley, from Hainesport fire company, New Jersey, said: "My fire department is located in the south central area of New Jersey. We were called to assist the New York city fire department during this disaster and several of my firefighters witnessed first hand the carnage of this brutal attack."

He said he wanted "the great people of the United Kingdom" to know how thankful they were.

Station officer John Timperley, of Lancashire fire and rescue, said: "We were bowled over by the staggering generosity of Lancashire people wherever our walk took us.

The money will go into the New York Firefighters September 11 Disaster Relief Fund, which is which is held in a bank account in Washington DC. It will be distributed by the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officer's Association.