A TEAM of Lancashire firefighters have spoken frankly about their experiences in Turkey as they desperately combed the earthquake ruins for survivors.

The six-strong search and rescue team arrived in Izmet on the second night after the tragedy and returned on Tuesday.

Team leader Peter Thorne, from Chorley, said: "We got established at a six-floor private hospital, where there were people trapped inside. We struck up a rapport with the locals and that was that - right lads, let's get stuck in.

"The hospital was originally six storeys high. It was three and a half yards tall when we got there.

"Unfortunately we didn't pull out any survivors, but I wouldn't say we were unsuccessful.

"We recovered a lot of bodies which helped complete the grieving process for many people. And we can better prepare existing and future team members for earthquake procedures." He added: "It has effected us all dramatically. The dead. The smell. You knew that there was a body in the rubble beneath you just from the smell.

"We pulled out the bodies of a woman and her child, still in her arms. They were in bed. They had no chance."

Stuart Hardacre from Preston Fire Station, pictured with colleague Steve Harman, said: "There was hope that we would find someone alive in the rubble but we spent the whole time removing bodies.

"We worked where a Swiss team had pulled someone out alive already, they were worn out. We took over from them.

"I don't think you'd ever be prepared for what we saw. If anyone else comes out alive, it'll be a miracle."

Steve added: "The buildings had been constructed in such a way that after they collapsed, there was a slim chance of survival.

"There was so much sand in the mortar that there were no spaces left for people."

Peter Holland, Lancashire's chief fire officer, said: "The men have got my utmost admiration - they are great people and I am very proud of them."

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