A RAMSBOTTOM firefighter, who died while trying to rescue a teenager from a local lodge, has been honoured with an award for his bravery.

Sub-officer Paul Metcalf was decorated with the Chief Constable's Commendation and the Royal Humane Society in Memorium Award.

Part-time firefighter Mr Metcalf, who lived in Whalley Road, Shuttleworth, drowned after getting into difficulties at Simons Lodge, Hawkshaw, while trying to save 15-year-old Reyaz Ali, a pupil of Darul Uloom Islamic College.

His twin brother, Michel Metcalf, received the posthumous awards at the ceremony held to honour the brave and heroic deeds of the emergency services and the public.

Paying tribute to his brother, Mr Metcalf said: "Paul was a very placid character and very committed to every job he did. "We are very proud of him but, as my mother says, getting the awards will not bring Paul back.

"Paul would have been over the moon if he had been here today. What he did was very typical of him, but most firefighters seem to be that way inclined or they wouldn't be doing that job."

Bury firefighters Neil Fox and Christopher McNally along with Christopher Wild, the Holcombe Range Warden, also received the Chief Constable's Commendation and the Royal Humane Society Award for their actions in trying to save both the teenager and Mr Metcalf. Mr Fox said: "I was in the water for 25 minutes and kept diving in for Paul, but he was becoming frantic and struggling and I lost him.

"I didn't know Paul personally, but from speaking to his colleagues it seems to have been very typical of him to go in. He was a leader and liked to set an example. Obviously I am very proud to receive the award today, but it is sad that two people died."

County Fire Officer George Almond praised the bravery of the firefighter and said: "In the future, I don't think a situation like this could happen because of reviews we have carried out.

"Lessons have been learned from this tragedy and we have worked closely with other agencies which rescue underwater to improve our training."

Police officers Sgt Martin Greenwood, Constable Derek Baird, Constable Alexander Keen and member of the public Geoffrey Unsworth, who also helped at the same incident in Bury, received the Chief Constable's Citation of Merit and the Royal Humane Society Award.