Soldiers who are covering for Keighley's striking firefighters have been honoured for their service in the war-ravaged Balkans.

They received medals from the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Richard Wightman, in recognition of their danger-strewn stints in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Thirty soldiers from 22 Engineer Regiment - who were manning the Green Goddesses in Keighley during the latest firefighters' stoppages - were among 80 troops honoured.

Presentations were made at a parade in Belle Vue Barracks, Bradford, during which the soldiers also received Queen's Jubilee medals.

The parade was held just hours after the troops completed a 48-hour fire-cover stint.

Last year the sappers - normally based at Perham Down near Andover - were deployed to Mrkonjic Grad on a six-month tour in support of NATO.

They undertook various engineering projects including the renovation of a Bailey bridge across an inter-ethnic boundary.

The troops began training for firefighting operations as soon as the tour was completed in September last year.

This week they paid tribute to the support they had received from the Keighley public during their fire-cover stints.

Corporal David Price, who was among the team working out of the TA centre in Lawkholme Lane, said: "People in Keighley have been really supportive, waving and cheering the Green Goddesses.

"They have even brought us biscuits and chocolates, which have been really welcome."

Last Thursday's parade also commemorated the participation of 5th Field Company - now 5 Field Squadron - in the historic battle of Rorke's Drift, which was portrayed in the cinema classic Zulu.

Members of 22 Regiment Royal Engineers, based in Keighley for the fire strike, who received Kosovo and Bosnia medals, included (left-right, front) L/Cpl David Bailey, L/Cpl Andrew Farqahar; (middle) Cpl Dave Price, Sapper Vinnie Stokes; (back) L/Cpl Sandy McKenzie, L/Cpl James Ladkin, L/Cpl Stuart McKee and Sapper Matthew Stainer.