A LANCASHIRE fire search and rescue officer told a public prayer meeting how he helped save a woman trapped in the rubble of the Indian earthquake.

Senior divisional commander Peter Halleron, who returned from a week in Bhuj on Friday, said it would be impossible for anybody in this country to comprehend the scale of the disaster.

The gathering, organised by the Blackburn Hindu Centre at Jan's Conference Centre, Higher Audley Street, was a chance for people to offer prayers and support to those who have lost friends and relatives in Gujarat.

About 100 people attended the meeting and listened to other guest speakers, including Ashok Dayal, chairman of the Blackburn Hindu Centre, Councillor Salim Mulla, and the Rev Dale Barton, from Churches Together in Lancashire.

Mr Halleron told listeners: "You are talking about an area the size of England and Scotland put together. I doubt anybody could imagine the devastation caused there. Once we were there it was automatically built in what we should do. We just got in there and tried to save as many people as possible."

Peter, who camped in tents with other members of the Lancashire fire and rescue team, next to the former site of Bhuj town hall, said it was the most amazing feeling when they pulled a 28-year-old woman from underneath a fallen six-storey building. He said: "It was absolutely fantastic. Her father was there and he was running up and down the streets because we had saved his daughter."

Mr Dayal said: "This event was particularly important for people to come together and support the people of Bhuj and raise funds for the Indian Quake Appeal.

"Every penny will be donated to Sewa International and will go towards the victims of the earthquake. The important thing is that we don't lose focus of what needs to be done in the long term. Together we can make a difference." PICTURE: Peter Halleron and (back, from left) Blackburn Hindu Centre Chairman Ashok Dayal, Interfaith Council chairman the Very Rev David Frayne, Centre Secretary Ashok Chudasama, India League President Charan Singh Bamhrah, Coun Salim Mulla and priest Madhusudan Dave, with Madhubala Pandya, holding one of the collection boxes for earthquake victims