Disciplinary hearings into alleged misconduct at Ilkley Fire Station are set to get under way early next year, it has been revealed.

Meanwhile, a man who had been arrested in connection with an alleged theft at the station has been released from his police bail without charge.

An internal inquiry was launched by West Yorkshire Fire Service in September during the summer after the allegations came to light.

A spokesman for the service said: "The disciplinary investigation has just finished and the next thing will be the disciplinary hearings early in the New Year."

He added that the four firefighters suspended as part of the internal investigation were still under suspension.

The internal investigation is thought to have included interviews with all 19 part-time firemen at the station.

In September, the fire service asked the police to look into a number of allegations including one that a woman was raped by part-time firefighters.

Subsequently the police, who said they had never received a direct complaint of rape, said all the allegations, bar one of theft, had been dismissed.

A 36-year-old man from Ilkley was arrested in connection with the alleged theft and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

But a spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "He has been released from his bail without charge and there's no further action to be taken."

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