A Huddersfield firefighter who suffered a life-changing injury in a cycling accident has won a national courage award.

Pete Lau was shortlisted for The Fire Fighters Charity ‘Beneficiary of Courage’ award which was held at the Park Plaza hotel in Westminster.

Earlier this year the former Slaithwaite firefighter won The Examiner Community Awards Courage Award.

KSDL Courage Award left to right, Andy Hirst Examiner head of content, Gareth Davies, Managing Director, Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd, Winner- Pete Lau, Nina Hussain ITN newscaster.

Pete, 49, of Fixby, became wheelchair-bound after suffering spinal injuries during a crash with a car in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, last April.

The Great North Air Ambulance flew Pete to The James Cook University Hospital in Teesside, where he was taken straight to intensive care.

Pete, who has risen to the rank of Assistant District Commander for Bradford, spent seven months in hospital, which included four weeks in a coma and major surgery to place a metal rod in his back.

Pete Lau in hospital in the weeks after his cycling accident

The dad-of-two, who had previously enjoyed mountain biking, kayaking and scuba diving, was moved to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, a year ago before settling in a bungalow in Bradford, in October.

A spokesman for the awards said: “Peter is an inspiration, motivating other patients in their recovery despite several of his own knockbacks. Committed to making a difference, Peter won this award due to his dedication to fundraising for the charity, despite having his own challenges.”