Whether trapped on a cliff ledge, up a pylon or down in a quarry, people can be safe in the knowledge that they may be saved by a fire crew - only one of three in West Yorkshire - trained to carry out such rescues.

Firefighters at every station are trained to use level one line rescue, but those at Rawdon Station have been trained to use level two line rescue, similar to abseiling, to carry out dangerous rescues.

Last week, firefighters from Rawdon's Red Watch put their training into reality for the first time to successfully rescue a sheep from a ledge at the Cow and Calf rocks in Ilkley.

Sub-officer Andy Fowler from Rawdon said: "Previously, there hadn't been a rescue team to help anybody in these situations and so we took this on board.

"Now, about 100 firefighters - 30 of which are stationed at Rawdon - have undergone this specialist training.

"There was a four-day intensive course at headquarters in Birkenshaw, run by instructors who are experienced climbers and potholers. But it is not just abseiling - it's more involved than that. We can lower people down or haul them up and if they have a back injury, we can bring them up on a stretcher."

The firefighters are kitted out in special red one-piece thermal suits as well as boots, a helmet and gloves and carry 100metre and 50 metre lengths of line as well as pulleys and rope grabs as part of the specialist equipment.

As part of their training course, they undertook simulated exercises including the rescue of someone from the top of a pylon and a crane and a 'casualty' from the bottom of a quarry in Mirfield.

The firefighters are continually assessed by their instructors and undergo outdoor training at places like Otley Chevin, the Cow and Calf rocks in Ilkley, Calverley Woods and Shipley Glen. They are soon to begin night exercises.

The other stations to be trained are Elland and Pontefract.