FIRE CREWS from across Bradford and Calderdale have been putting new breathing apparatus guidelines to the test during a series of training exercises at Salts Mill.

The exercises involving search and rescue techniques and communication relays with support staff outside the building started last week and will continue until tomorrow.

Assistant District Commander for Bradford Richard Hall said the mill owners and its security staff had been incredibly generous for making a disused part of the building in Saltaire village available.

ADC Hall added: "The mill has presented a real, difficult and challenging scenario both for the breathing apparatus wearers and those they have been communicating with outside. The training has been extensive after new breathing apparatus guidelines came in late last year and the exercises are a culmination of that."