FIREFIGHTERS who saved a community building from ruin - and then helped raise funds to rebuild it - have been honoured.

The ten-man crew of part-time firefighters in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, were given a letter of appreciation by chief officer Eric Clark.

The Old Meeting House arts centre in the town went up in flames last August, but the crew managed to contain the blaze and salvage a valuable Steinway piano.

Later, they decided to donate a share of their annual charity jumble sale to a campaign fund set up to restore the centre.

Mr Clark said: "The way they saved this building from total devastation and then afterwards had the community spirit to help put it back together was tremendous.

"By going out into the community and raising funds in the way they did really was exemplary. I am very proud to be able to recognise their efforts."