A PRIEST caught up in Moscow's worst football riot today relived his ordeal and said: "I'm lucky to be alive."

Father Jim McCartney spent more than an hour in hiding after fleeing Manezh Square when thousands of hooligans went on the rampage following Russia's 1-0 defeat by World Cup co-hosts Japan last Sunday.

The match had been shown on big screens in Red Square -- home to the famous Kremlin buildings.

Father Jim, priest at St Anne's Church, Prince's Street, Blackburn, and founder of a drugs rehabilitation centre, had gone along to enjoy the occasion as part of his week-long holiday in Moscow.

Three people were killed and dozens injured as the disappointed fans rioted in the streets of the Russian capital, looting shops and torching vehicles.

Father Jim said: "There were bottles flying everywhere. A second after I moved from one spot a bottle flew right past where I had been stood.

"It was very frightening to be so close. I got myself out of the way for an hour to keep out of trouble but then went back thinking it would have all blown over.

"But when I got back all I could see were cars on fire, people fighting and hurling objects and attacking each other.

"Rows and rows of little shops had their windows smashed and I saw blood smeared on cars. The rioters didn't care who they attacked and were going for anyone who was in their way.

"I feel lucky to be alive. I managed to get back to my hotel but I know a lot of people were seriously hurt and some killed."

Father Jim added: "I went along to the square before the game and there were thousands of people there ready for the game. There was an OK atmosphere but there was a lot of drinking going on.

"During the game, the mood changed dramatically and I think a lot of it was to do with the alcohol.

"Then the bottles began flying and the young lads started fighting. It was frightening to see just how easily a crowd could be seized by violence just like that."

Politicians blamed the outbreak of violence on poor planning by the local authorities.

A 20-year-old man was found stabbed to death in the square, and a policeman, seriously injured by rioters, died in hospital the following day.

There had been only a small police presence, and reinforcements did not arrive until most of the troublemakers had left the area.