A former firefighter who was commended for his bravery after a tragic mill blaze has died.

Tony Donisthorpe, 89, rescued a girl from the inferno in Eastwood Mills, Keighley, in February, 1956.

Eight workers - six women, a man and a boy - died in the blaze.

Mr Donisthorpe was the last firefighter to bring a casualty out of the building, which was home to worsted spinning company Robert C Franklin Ltd.

The blaze, caused by a plumber’s blow-torch igniting fluff on ceiling joists, spread rapidly through the mill’s wooden staircases.

The incident, which remains one of the town’s blackest days, prompted new fire safety regulations in Britain’s mills and factories.

Fire service representatives were present to pay their respects at his funeral at Oakworth Crematorium.