A TRIBUTE has been paid to a heroic Ramsbotttom fire officer - who died while attempting to rescue a teenage boy from a lake more than 20 years ago - by the county brigade's new chief.

Colleagues have long remembered the sacrifice of Sub Officer Paul Metcalf, who lost his life while on duty at Simon's Lodge in Holcombe Brook, in September 1999.

Paul, from Whalley Road, Shuttleworth, had been trying to pluck 15-year-old Reyaz Ali to safety in the freezing waters when his safety rope became snagged on branches and he drowned.

The teenager's body was later also pulled from the water by specialist divers.

New chief fire officer Dave Russel marked the anniversary of the firefighter's death with a message on Twitter.

"The thoughts of everyone at @manchesterfire are with Paul’s family, loved ones and colleagues," he said.

In December 2002, Paul was awarded a posthumous Queen’s Commendation for bravery. He had already received the Royal Humane Society in Memoriam Testimonial and a Chief Constable’s Commendation the year before.

Colleagues created a memorial garden behind Ramsbottom station in his honour.

Investigations into the factors leading up to the officer's death later prompted a wide-scale review of water rescue procedures and the introduction of new equipment.