A firefighter has been honoured for his efforts to help victims of the Indian Earthquake.

Around 30 people from the East Lancashire Hindu Society gathered at the Comfort Inn, in Keirby Walk, Burnley, for a service, when Burnley firefighter, Ged Richmond, was presented with a silver shield in recognition for his bravery in Bhuj.

Mr Richmond was called out to Gujarat after the quake and with the help of ten other Lancashire team mates, managed to rescue a woman who had been trapped under the rubble for three days.

He said: "The earthquake was on a scale I have never seen before. It was a harrowing experience and one that makes you realise what is important in life."

Also at the event was Burnley MP, Peter Pike, who said: "It is very good that people like the Lancashire rescue team were able to respond. It's times like this you realise how fortunate we are in the UK."

A letter read out on behalf of the Mayor of Burnley Rafique Malik, said: "I express my deepest sympathy to those who have lost family and friends. I hope there is some comfort in knowing the thoughts of so many people are with you."

Mridula Dhall, a nursery nurse at Walverden Primary School, in Nelson, presented a cheque to the society's disaster fund after pupils managed to raise £427.

She said: "I am the only Hindu lady at the school and the children tried to draw me some pictures."