A TEAM who investigated the horrific Birkby firebomb murders was last night praised for its work.

Eighty detectives, police officers, forensic experts and support staff who worked on the gruelling inq- uiry were presented with awards at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield.

And among those thanking them for their efforts were survivors of the murderous attack on a house in Osborne Road in May 2002, which claimed eight lives.

The awards were presented by Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn, Asst Chief Constable John Sampson and Chief Supt John Holt.

There was also a special award to blaze survivor Mr Abdul Chishti, for his "courage and dignity" after the blaze and throughout the inquiry.

The arson attack prompted the largest multiple murder investigation that West Yorkshire Police had had to face in almost three decades.

The last time a large number of people were murdered at one location in the county was the M62 coach bombing in 1973, when 12 people died.

The police inquiries into the house attack led to a trial at Leeds Crown Court last year. Shaied Iqbal, 27, of Thornton Lodge, was convicted of eight counts of murder, while Shakiel Shazad, 24, of Crosland Moor, and Nazar Hussain, 25, of Crosland Moor, were convicted of manslaughter.

Some of the team who received commendations dealt with the criminal investigation, while others worked with and supported the Chishti family before and after the trial.

Chief Supt Barry South, Huddersfield Divisional Commander, said: "These crimes were quickly detected thanks to the excellent work carried out by all those receiving awards.

"This was a real team effort by dedicated police officers and staff. The commendations are justly deserved."

Chief Constable's Commendations: Det Supt Bob Bridgestock, Det Insp John Halstead, Det Sgt Paul Simm, Det Sgt Vijay Singh, Det Con John Lee, Det Con Christine Freeman, Det Con Meg Simpson, Det Con Kevin Scott, Det Con Gary Holberry, Det Con Alexander Lloyd, Det Con Philip Ogley, Helen Chadwick.

Assistant Chief Constable's Certificates of Merit Det Chief Supt Taylor, Chief Supt Jawaid Akhtar, Det Supt Graham Shaw, Supt Christopher Hardern, Insp Mark Broadhead, Sgt Jayne Hill, Det Sgt Peter Oram, Det Con Sean Smith, acting Det Sgt Paul Holden, Det Con Helen Clegg, Det Con Phillip Hall, Det Con Anthony Groom, Det Con Nicola Metcalfe, Det Con Simon Archer, Det Con George Bardle, Det Con James Rudge, Det Sgt Ian Townsend, Det Con Jerry Crabtree, Pc Gary Wetherill, Det Con Craig Briggs, Det Insp Peter Hoyland, Det Con Claire Hirst, Det Con David Walker, Sgt Matthew Dalton, Det Con Richard Stead, Det Sgt Andrew Parr, Det Con Nicola Betts, Pc Mark Lunn, Det Con Stephen Bedford, Det Con Michael Hudson, Det Con Stuart Morley, Det Con Christine Eagleton, ex-Det Sgt John Thompson, Det Con Richard Silkstone, Det Sgt Stephen Secker, Det Con Stuart Moore, Sgt John Agar, Det Con Margaret Fox, Det Con Margaret Johnson, Det Sgt Neville Jackson, Det Sgt Paul Harris, Sgt Alan Irvine, Sgt Michael Semenczuk, Pc Alexandra Kowalewsky, Pc Damian Roebuck, Deborah Bourke, Patricia Brennan, Kathryn Lindley, Lisa Dennell, Rupert Nicholson, Colin Whittaker, Neil Rylatt, Pc Jafar Hussain, Special Constable Sharon Whitehead, Robert Anthony Chapman, Peter Jones, Martin Bedford, John Dickson, Christopher Paul Clarke, Ian Boid.

Divisional Officer's Commendations Det Con Peter Wilson, Det Con Anthony Johnson, Det Con David Tombleson, Pc Gary Hirst, Pc Shaun Topham, Special Constable David Openshaw, Special Constable Maria Ingham, Pc Mark Whitehead, Anne John, Joanna Walker, Margaret Butterworth and Ann Davies.