A BURY firefighter who drowned as he attempted to save a teenage boy from Holcombe Brook is to receive a posthumous award for courage.

Fire Sub Officer Paul Metcalf has been awarded an "In Memoriam" honour by the Royal Humane Society following the tragic events of September 5, 1999, when 15-year-old Reyaz Ali drowned while playing with his friends.

Seven other men will also receive commendations for their part in the unsuccessful rescue attempt.

Firefighters Neil Fox and Christopher McNally, and Ministry of Defence Range Warden Christopher Wild, from Littleborough, will each receive a "Testimonial on Vellum" from the society. Police sergeant Martin Greenwood, PC Derek Baird and PC Alexander Keen, all of Greater Manchester Police, and passer-by Geoffrey Unsworth, of Halstead Street, Bury, will each receive a "Testimonial on Parchment".

Mr Christopher Tyler, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, paid tribute to Mr Metcalf and the rest of the rescue team.

Speaking at the society's headquarters in London, he said: "The tragic and horrific result of this horrendous accident does nothing to take away from the bravery and courage each of these men showed in risking their own lives for the sake of another.

"Mr Metcalf's self-sacrifice should never be forgotten, and hopefully this award comes some small way towards paying tribute to a fine man, who was a credit to the Fire Service."

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the awards, made on the recommendation of the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, but it is expected to take place in the near future.