BURY'S biggest humanitarian aid operation since the Second World War has swung into action.

Teams from social services, Bury's housing department, the Red Cross, and medical staff, have been working around the clock following the arrival of 82 Kosovar refugees in the town on Wednesday afternoon.

Those who fled the savagery in the Balkans are being housed temporarily in the Geoffrey Kershaw Centre in Maxwell Street.

Settling in yesterday, the refugees - 50 adults and 32 children - brought with them horrific tales of murder, theft and destruction by the Serb forces.

Mr Jim Wilson, the borough's social services officer, who is leading Bury's aid programme, said efforts to help the Kosovars would begin in earnest on Monday.

He said: "We want to give these people a chance to rest, relax and cope with their own situations. Medical help has already been given and there is still a lot of administrative work to complete.

"Our main task over the next few weeks will be to co-ordinate the efforts of a number of agencies to help the refugees during their stay."

Nearly all those who arrived on Wednesday did so with just a handful of personal belongings. The generosity of Bury residents and local companies, have ensured they can be clothed, fed and children given toys.

Councillor John Byrne, deputy leader of Bury Council, who was part of a welcoming committee at Manchester Airport, said: "When the refugees arrived at Bury, there was a look of relief on their faces."

The Kosovars will be offered counselling to help them come to terms with their ordeal.

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