A Bradford firefighter's idea to trace malicious callers who ring up the fire brigade on their mobile phones has been adopted across West Yorkshire.

Firefighter Ian McKelvie, from Bradford Central Fire Station in Nelson Street, devised his idea to combat the problem of prank callers.

Studies by the mobilising and communications centre at fire service headquarters in Birkenshaw revealed that most malicious false calls were made on mobile telephones.

He approached every mobile telephone company and set up a system to trace and bar offending mobile users.

The system has proved so successful in reducing the number of repeated false calls from mobile phone users that it is being introduced across the division.

West Yorkshire Fire Service's Chief Fire Officer Phil Toase said: "It is important that the people of West Yorkshire are aware that steps are now being taken by the brigade working closely with the police, to counteract the selfish acts of false malicious callers.

"Unfortunately, there are individuals who continue to make malicious calls to the emergency services. They could put the lives of the general pubic and emergency personnel at risk."

The move has been welcomed by the police who also suffer from the same problem.

Inspector Dave Scholey, of West Yorkshire Police's communication division, said: "Working in partnership, we intend to share information on such calls to enable effective investigation and prosecution where suitable.

"Positive action can and will be taken against those callers committing a criminal offence - whether it be phone disconnection, passing of information to the relevant providers, or, taking those responsible to court."