A HUGE operation to prepare a East Lancashire hospital complex for Kosovo refugees was launched today.

The first plane load of refugees from the war-torn province will arrive at Calderstones Hospital, Whalley, on Monday night.

And now the race is on for toys, games, clothing, baby and electrical equipment for them to use during their stay in the area.

Calderstones Hospital has been on stand-by to house Kosovo Albanians fleeing the stricken Balkans since April after the NHS Executive contacted bosses at the Whalley-based site.

Calderstones, the only-remaining institution of its kind in the North-West, completed its programme of resettling patients into the community last month and the bulk of the buildings are now lying empty. It was put on refugee stand-by because it had the necessary heating and kitchen facilities.

Representatives of the Refugee Council made a secret visit to the site last week and the thumbs-up was given after a top-level meeting at the offices of the East Lancashire Health Authority.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council, which is coordinating the operation, said the Calderstones had its own school, shop and social club. He said: "Work is currently being carried out at the site to ensure it is fully-equipped and furnished for the refugees. Part of the hospital complex is still being used and the Kosovar village will be completely separate. We have been working hard with the NHS, British Red Cross, Women's Royal Voluntary Service and Ribble Valley Council to ensure everything is ready for their arrival."

Whalley councillor Joyce Holgate said the refugees would receive a warm welcome in the village.

She said: "These people have had an awful experience and we hope their stay in Whalley will be as good as can be expected under the circumstances. Villagers have been contacting me asking how they can help since rumours that refugees were to be housed at Calderstones started circulating. We welcome them with open arms and, if they need anything, they only have to ask. We will do our best to help."

Now an emergency appeal has been launched for toys, good-quality clothing, baby equipment, such as cots and pushchairs, and electrical equipment, including TVs, radios and videos.

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 asked not to take items directly to Calderstones.

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