AN RAF bomb disposal expert from Bury has died from a mystery illness in Gibraltar.

Junior Technician Rick Borland, who provided ordnance support to Tornado squadrons during the opening weeks of the invasion of Iraq, was discovered dead in his barrack room on November 1.

A post mortem later revealed that the 31-year-old, a former Bolton Road Methodist Venture Scout, had possibly collapsed and died two days earlier, although the cause of his death has not yet been established.

But his father, Mr Peter Borland, said he was becoming increasingly frustrated and angry as "red tape" was hampering attempts to bring home his airman son.

Speaking on Wednesday at his home in Holbeach Close, Brandlesholme, Mr Borland said: "We cannot begin to grieve for Rick.

"It is now ten days since his death and we cannot get a death certificate from Gibraltar. The RAF in Gibraltar have been very supportive but they are just as frustrated as I am."

Home Office pathologist William Lawler flew to the military base 24-hours after Rick's body was discovered and carried out a post mortem the following day. Gibraltar's own pathologist had failed to complete his own examination.

"I feel so helpless," said Mr Borland who is a former District Commissioner for Scouting in Bury. "All I know is that Rick is alone and I want him home. But we have been advised to stay here and wait."

A former pupil of Woodbank County Primary and Bury Church of England High schools, Rick joined the RAF in October, 1995, and completed his basic training at RAF Halton before being posted to RAF Cosford and RAF Locking. After completing his technicians course, Rick joined 2 Tornado Squadron at RAF Marham. The squadron was sent to Kuwait at the start of the action against Iraq.

Rick, a keen mountaineer and adventure sports enthusiast, remained in the Gulf for three months and was then offered the posting in Gibraltar where he was one of a two-man team dealing with bomb and ordnance disposal.

Mr Borland said: "When an officer and padre from the RAF arrived at my door I could have understood it if they had told me he had died while defusing a bomb or had come off his motorbike, which he rode like a maniac, or had died while kite boarding.

"What I cannot understand is that there is no obvious reason for a fit and healthy young man to die. Rick had climbed Mont Blanc with his sister, Dawn, and they were planning to complete the Inca trail in Peru in the near future."

Following the tragedy, Mr Borland has received letters of condolence from the Station Commander of RAF Gibraltar, Wing Commander Clive Blount, and also from Defence Minister, Geoff Hoon.

Once Rick's body is returned, his funeral will take place at Bury Parish Church and colleagues from the RAF will act as pall bearers.