NEW Haslingden professional Paul Strang today spoke of his fears over the safety of his girlfriend's parents as trouble continues to flare back in his homeland.

The Zimbabwean leg spinner admits he is relieved to escape the civil unrest which has seen farms torched and farmers murdered in a battle over land rights.

But as the threat of further violence mounts, he has voiced his concerns over the safety of the loved ones he has left behind, and in particular the parents of his girlfriend, Barbara, who live on a farm in Mhangura.

"Farmers have had a very serious time of it, recently," said Strang, who arrived in England on Wednesday.

"My girlfriend's parents are one of the few that haven't been invaded but it could happen any day, so it's a very worrying time.

"It always looks more hostile on TV than it actually is.

"But there has been a lot of beatings and murders, which is very disturbing.

"And, with it being such a small country, everybody knows somebody involved, particularly amongst the white population.

"In a way, it's just nice to get away from it because there's nothing worse than being able to do nothing.

"But I think it will get worse before it gets better."

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