A Hero's farewell GREATER Manchester's fire chief George Almond today paid a moving tribute to hero fireman Paul Metcalf.

He was speaking at the funeral in Bury of the part-time firefighter who died trying to save a teenager from drowning.

Bolton man Mr Almond told the packed church: "Today every member of this brigade and indeed the whole fire service salutes Paul Metcalf."

The town centre came to a sombre standstill as hundreds of firefighters paid tribute to their dead colleague.

Mr Metcalf, aged 40, was killed a week last Sunday, as he bravely tried to save teenager Reyaz Ali from Simon's Lodge, Holcombe Brook.

This morning a fire engine brought Paul's coffin to Bury Parish Church.

The vehicle was bedecked with floral tributes and four officers rode on the engine to accompany Paul on his final journey. Roads were blocked off as the sad procession made its way through the streets.

As the procession approached the church, organ music from within the building gently echoed around the quiet square.

Office workers leaned out of windows to watch the procession wind its way through the streets. Other shoppers stood to pay their final respects.

A lone police motorcycle outrider headed the cortege which was followed by the turntable ladder engine, its blue lights flashing. As it entered the square the command went up "Parade Attention".

Officers saluted as their colleague passed them. A few minutes later the engine pulled up outside the church. Paul's coffin was draped in a Union flag with a white floral cross on top.

As pallbearers carried the coffin into church, emergency sirens eerily sounded in the distance, and the church organist played Abide With Me. Minutes later scores of firefighters who had lined the streets began to make their own way into the church behind their tragic colleague's coffin.

The church service was broadcast to townsfolk, who had gathered outside the Church at The Rock, Bury, via a special public address system.

A Union flag outside the church flew at half mast, and a guard of 20 officers prepared to honour Paul as his coffin was borne into church.

The grim-faced firefighters wore smart ceremonial tunics with bright silver buttons and smart black belts and buckles.

And Leading Firemen Ray Bailey, 47, who formed part of the Guard of Honour, revealed Paul had been a close personal friend. Fireman Bailey told the BEN: "Me and Paul go back a really long way, some 24 years. I knew him before he came into the fire service.

"All that time that I knew him I always found him to be a really helpful and sincere person. When he came into the fire service he was the type of person who always wanted to help others.

"I am absolutely devastated at the loss of a really, really dear friend.

"He was an absolutely fantastic person. If you speak to any of the lads they will say the same."

An estimated 200 officers lined the square to pay a moving tribute to Paul, who was a part-time sub officer at Ramsbottom Fire Station.

Paul's twin brother Michel and his mother Jacqueline led the mourners at the service.

In his address Mr Almond spoke of Paul's tremendous work as a part-time firefighter revealing that every spare moment was devoted to his part-time role.

After Mr Almond's tribute, Rev Don Altham from Paul's church spoke of "a man with a heart of gold" and a "man of action". He also revealed that Paul was a black belt karate instructor.

Following his moving address to the congregation the mourners rose to sing Paul's favourite hymn How Great Thou Art, and following prayers, again led by Rev Altham, the Parish Church resounded to the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

As the service ended, Paul's workmates again formed a Guard of Honour with four other colleagues standing astride the turntable ladder.

As his coffin was carried from the church, a leading fire officer followed behind bearing Paul's yellow fire helmet.

His heartbroken family lead by mother Jacqueline followed close behind.

After the parish church service in Bury, there was a private family burial service at Edenfield Parish Church. An hour after the vehicle had first arrived, it once again pulled away from the parish church as firefighters in full uniform once more stood to attention.

Seven funeral cars containing family and relatives followed behind as the turntable ladder engine left the square.

Once more office workers looked on, and townsfolk who had stood in a chilly wind for more than an hour paid their final respects.

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