A former firefighter is searching for vintage film footage to turn into heritage movies of Bradford's era of steam.

David Murray has built up a library of rare cinefilm since being invalided out of the service after a horrific accident.

David 55, has turned the ancient celluloid into more than 50 movies over the past ten years. And his journey from firefighter to film-maker has led to him becoming the leading historical railway film-maker in the country.

David was forced to give up his job in 1987 after he recovered from a serious back injury, suffered when he was buried under a collapsed wall while fighting a fire in Cleckheaton.

"It was 30 minutes before they found me," David said. "My back was broken and I was in a lot of pain. They eventually discovered my back was unstable. Lifting heavy equipment could have led to an injury which could have left me in a wheelchair."

It was pure chance that turned him into a film maker.

"I'm a Scot and I had seen films about Scotland which gave just the tourist view of familiar places like Ben Nevis and Fort William," said David. "I wanted to show the day-to-day life of Scotland with a nostalgic feel - you can't get nostalgic about a hill, but you can about a pit village."

So with vintage footage he acquired from Scotland, and the backing of Roy Plumb, a video maker in Huddersfield, he made his first railway movie called Kingdom of Fife.

"The reaction was good enough to encourage me to carry on," said David who stresses the films he makes are not for "anorak" train spotters but are mostly bought by people interested in heritage.

He works today from a converted loft at his home in Birkenshaw and with the technical help of colleague Mr Plumb has made at least 50 heritage movies.

"They are railway-based but many people buy them for nostalgic reasons," he said.

"They capture an era long gone but one which many people remember."

David believes there are reels of old cine-film still to be unearthed which many people do not value but provide valuable archive footage. He is urging people to look into storage cupboards, attics and other hideaway places for film for which he will pay a fee and return.

Anyone who can help is urged to call him on 07813 000401 or (01274) 652828.