REFUGEES from the nightmare of Kosovo were today settling down to a new life in East Lancashire.

Five coachloads of refugee Kosovar Albanians arrived at Calderstones Hospital, Whalley, in the early hours in the area's biggest emergency operation since the war.

The operation, co-ordinated by Lancashire County Council, was conducted amid tight security, but the Lancashire Evening Telegraph was allowed to witness the refugees arriving following the intervention of the Home Office.

The refugees, 162 in total, including many children and a pregnant woman, were accompanied to the Ribble Valley by local paramedics after touching down at Manchester Airport.

The coaches started arriving at the Whalley site at 4am, just before dawn was breaking, and were met by a team of interpreters and volunteers from the British Red Cross and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

The refugees were formally welcomed by Sheila Blakey, Lancashire County Council project leader, before being given refreshments.

Medical staff, including doctors, nurses and counsellors, were at hand, but there were no emergencies.

A spokesman for the Lancashire Ambulance Service said: "We had paramedics on every coach. One or two of the refugees suffered travel sickness and they were all extremely tired, but most were in good shape."

Council employees and volunteers worked non-stop over the weekend to convert two blocks of the former hospital into accommodation for the refugees. The Kosovo Village will have its own cooking facilities, school, nursery, health clinic and mobile dentist.

The refugees will be able to keep abreast of events at home via international news channels on satellite TV and special phonelines will be available for them to contact relatives in England.

Sheila Blakey said the refugees would receive a "total care package" of clothes, food and rest, before being resettled into the community.

"They are free to go when they want," she said.

"We want to make them feel as comfortable as possible, before they get on with the task of rebuilding their lives."

David Brown, of Lancashire County Council's emergency planning team, said there had been "tremendous goodwill" toward the refugees from local people.

"The legendary Lancashire hospitality has come to the fore and people have pulled out the stops to give them a warm welcome," he said.

An appeal for the refugees still needs new underwear, children's clothes and light raincoats.

Items can be left at Lancashire County Council Information Centres at Accrington, Burnley and Nelson Bus Stations, Railway Road, Blackburn and Market Place, Clitheroe.

People are being asked not to take items directly to Calderstones.

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