Monday marked six months since terrorist attacks brought New York to its knees and shocked the world.

Six months on, three firemen from Keighley travelled to the city to hand over a cheque for £5,000 to a fire crew which attended the World Trade Center on that fateful September 11 day.

Keighley's blue watch was horrified by the terrorist attacks and organised various events which far exceeded fundraising expectations.

They decided to donate the funds directly to one crew who they learned had lost ten members at Ground Zero.

Bob Whitehead, Graham Lightowler and Stuart Shackleton flew to New York last Friday and spent a couple of days in the city, meeting the American crew and looking round.

Bob Whitehead said: "It went really well, we gave them the money and they were really pleased.

"It wasn't just the money but the fact that people had been so kind and that we'd bothered to travel over there in person."

The Keighley firemen also took a plaque, which featured a 1942 'branch,' the tip of the hose, as a tribute.

"They liked the plaque as well and we swapped shirts while we were there," added Mr Whitehead. "We just wanted to show our support and they appreciated it."

The custom in America is not to leave the scene without the full crew, which means that firemen must attend to retrieve their own dead.

"They have to go back for the body parts of their men, it must be an awful experience," he said.

Graham Lightowler explained that not only had the crew lost many respected team members but they also lost a lot of vital equipment and appliances.

"They are still recruiting over there and trying to rebuild everything. It's been a horrific thing and I think they're as positive as they can be," he said.

Stuart Shackleton added: "We had a look round New York, and Ground Zero is like a massive building site. It's blocked off where they're basically still working through the wreckage.

"It really brings it home just how huge it was. We're pleased we didn't just send a cheque, and the money will be split between all the widows and orphans at the station. It won't last long but it was just our way of showing our support - thanks to all the Keighley people who contributed."

He said the New York fire crew had been touched to read coverage of the attacks and support from the people of Keighley in the issues of the Keighley News that they took with them.