A silent tribute is to be held to firefighters who have lost their lives on duty.

Personnel at fire stations throughout West Yorkshire -- including Keighley -- and at county headquarters in Birkenshaw, will observe a one-minute silence at 3.30pm on Sunday .

And the public is being urged to support the tribute, by observing the silence and buying specially produced blue and red ribbons.

The ribbons are available -- for a £1 donation -- from Keighley Fire Station. All proceeds will go towards helping firefighters' widows and orphans.

The event will commemorate those who have died in Britain and abroad, including those who perished in the September 11 terrorist atrocity.

West Yorkshire chief fire officer Phil Toase said: "With reference to last year's tragedy in New York, I feel it highlighted to people all over the world how devoted firefighters are in striving to preserve life and how perilous their job is at times.

"It somehow feels appropriate therefore that a commemorative memorial event has been instigated for all firefighters who have lost their lives on duty.

"I would encourage members of the public to join in the one-minute silence wherever they may be at the appropriate time."

l The last Keighley firefighter to die in service was Jeff Naylor.

He died in July 1983, over two months after suffering severe burns attempting to rescue children from a house fire at Broomhill Walk, Keighley. He was posthumously awarded the Queen's commendation for bravery. The fire also claimed the lives of two children, but three youngsters were saved.

Picture: Firefighter Rick Dearnley wears his ribbon to commemorate colleagues who have died in service