A PROJECT to build bridges between a community and firefighters - after crews were targeted by 50-strong stone-throwing mobs - has been nominated for a national award.

Urgent steps were taken last September and October after firefighters from Burnley station were met by youngsters hurling abuse, stones and lumps of wood, while attending callouts in the Daneshouse and Stoneyholme areas of Burnley.

The situation became so serious that fire crews were only attending callouts in the area under police escort - potentially wasting vital minutes if a serious incident, such as a house fire or road accident, was to have occurred.

Firefighters met youngsters face-to-face, after close liaison with councillors and mosque leaders and the flashpoints gradually died down.

The initiative has now been put forward for recognition in the national Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Awards 2008.

Not only that but a clean-up was ordered for the area, removing the potential ammo which unruly youths were using to attack fire engines and their crews.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue service spokesman said: "During three nights in late September there were several incidents of attacks on firefighters in the Stoneyholme and Daneshouse area of Burnley involving verbal and physical abuse of fire crews responding to (minor) fires.

"A plan of positive action was put in place, involving operational crews and community fire safety staff which saw positive results."

Firefighters and community safety officers toured the area, to limit the availability of possible missiles - such as stones, rubble and wood offcuts.

The fire service, including fire safety officer Faz Patel, liaised directly with local councillors and mosque leaders, to open up lines of communication with young people in Daneshouse and Stoneyholme.

And this resulted in a meeting between firefighters and young people at Daneshouse Community Centre in early October.

Young people apologised for the yobs' actions and firefighters were able to explain the dangers of attacking crews in emergency situations.

The moves were backed by by ward councillors including, Coun Shah Monwar Hussain, who called for "strong action" against the culprits.

Police also pledged to deal firmly with any incidents where members of the emergency services were threatened.

The diversity award candidates will find out if they are successful towards the end of May and a ceremony will take place in London to reward the winning entries on May 28.