FIREFIGHTERS, police and ambulance crews across Worcestershire are celebrating the Government's U-turn decision to now give them the chance to receive the Queen's Jubilee Medal.

Former Home Secretary Jack Straw sparked controversy earlier this year when he said only members of the Armed Forces and Royal Fleet auxiliary would get the medal.

But Herefordshire and Worcestershire fire brigade called for a change of heart, writing letters to the home office and contacting the city council and Worcester MP Michael Foster.

Now thanks to their efforts, which included making detailed and lengthy representations as to why emergency services should be included for the award, the reversal has now been made on a national level.

"When I first picked up the documents detailing this award and saw that fire fighters could not be nominated, I was incensed," said Chief Fire Officer David O'Dwyer.

"We put forward a comprehensive case for including the emergency services. In my field I know fire fighters pay a high price for their work. Many are seriously injured or killed and this fact should be recognised."

"I am absolutely delighted with the outcome and very pleased I can nominate people for this prestigious award."

Now, in the wake of these representations and the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US, the Government is now allowing members of "front line" emergency services to be chosen for the award.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, chair of the Ministerial Group for The Queen's Golden Jubilee, said the atrocities had "highlighted the risks facing members of the emergency services each time they are called out".

Members of the services - accessed by dialling 999 can be put forward if they have completed a minimum of five year's service by February 6 next year.

The Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Mountain Rescue Service are included in the eligible groups.

"The Government has been right to do a U-turn on this important issue," said Mike Foster.

''The events post-September 11 have shown what an important job the emergency services do in our country, as well as America."

He feels The Golden Jubilee Medal now rightly recognises those who face the potential threat of injury or worse each time they are called out to emergency calls.

The decision to strike a medal for the Golden Jubilee is part of a long tradition of marking special occasions in the life for the nation, including Royal Jubilees.

n A commemorative medal was distributed for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 and there were also medals to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 and Diamond Jubilee in 1897, and King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935.