Unique ties designed and made in Keighley to mark the special bond between Britain and America are helping to raise funds for the Twin Towers Appeal.

And Prime Minister Tony Blair, US President George W Bush and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani have each accepted one of the commemorative ties, which feature the crossed Stars and Stripes and Union Flag.

Sales of the ties, produced by jacquard weaving firm Ezra T Lee, have already raised more than £1,200 for the appeal.

Tony Blair has thanked the firm for his tie, which bears the slogan "United States, United Kingdom, United We Stand".

Ezra T Lee chairman Tony Lee has strong links with New York. "I used to work in New York and have two friends who worked in the World Trade Center, but fortunately neither was working on September 11," he said.

He had been to New York on business just before the terrorist attack, and will soon open an office in Manhattan's Seventh Avenue as a sales, stock holding and distribution centre for his products in the US.

Mr Lee was so moved by the dreadful events of September 11 that he was spurred into creating the special tie, which was being produced at the firm's mill in Parkwood Street within a matter of days.

Now the ties are on sale at £10.50 each, with £7 of that going to the Twin Towers Appeal.

Mr Lee said: "The Twin Towers Appeal is for the families of all the victims, who include Muslims, Jews and Christians. We want to raise as much money for them as we can." If you would like to buy one of the ties, contact Ezra T Lee on 01535 219265.