WEST Yorkshire Police has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over its investigation into the Bradford City fire disaster 30 years ago and concerns about health and safety at the ground.

The force says serious issues have been raised about the Valley Parade tragedy on May 11, 1985, which claimed 56 lives, both in a book by Martin Fletcher, called 56 - The Story of the Bradford Fire, published earlier this year, and subsequently by Mr Fletcher's legal representatives.

Bradford West Labour MP Naz Shah has raised the issue with police after holding a meeting with Mr Fletcher, whose father, brother, uncle and grandfather died in the fire, two weeks ago.

"It is only right that unanswered questions about the original investigation and process, which was conducted in great haste, are properly addressed - the victims deserve nothing less," said Ms Shah tonight.

"The serious issues relate to health and safety breaches, that it was an accident waiting to happen. Things were not done with health and safety.

"This is not just about West Yorkshire Police, they are just one of the agencies involved.

"When I was approached by Martin to assist him in seeking answers, I could not turn away and ignore his quest for the many unanswered questions he had."

A senior officer from West Yorkshire Police also met Mr Fletcher and his legal representatives this week to discuss the issues they raised.

In a statement, the force says the issues relate not just to West Yorkshire Police, but to a number of other agencies and organisations.

It adds that since the publication of Mr Fletcher's book, the force has been working to identify what material was still available from the original enquiry and has found that, despite the passage of time, a lot of it had been retained.

It continues: "We fully understand that this will bring back painful memories for people who were there, or who lost loved ones 30 years ago, but it is important that the concerns raised by Mr Fletcher are addressed."

The official inquiry into the tragedy on May 11, 1985, headed by Sir Oliver Popplewell, concluded that it was an accident and was probably started by a spectator dropping a cigarette into rubbish that had accumulated under an old timber stand.

The blaze ripped through the wooden structure in just a few minutes as Bradford City played Lincoln City in an end-of-season match, leaving many fans unable to get out.

Fifty-four Bradford City supporters lost their lives in the fire, along with two Lincoln City fans. More than 200 people were taken to hospital following the blaze, many with terrible injuries.

A Bradford City spokesman said the club did not want to make a comment.