A LEYLAND charity is preparing to send out vital aid to help refugees flooding into Albania from the killing fields of Kosovo.

More than 800,000 Kosovar Albanians have been forced to flee from their homes as waves of ethnic cleansing sweep through Kosovo, instigated by Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic. More than 300,000 have passed across the border into Albania, Europe's poorest country.

The graphic images of the weeping refugees arriving at the borders of neighbouring countries have shocked the world.

In response, Leyland-based charity International Aid is preparing to send out vital supplies to Albania in a bid to help aid workers cope with the growing numbers of refugees, many of who have gone without food and water for days.

Two 38-ton lorries were due to depart from International Aid's depot in Centurion Way, Leyland, yesterday (Wednesday), loaded with dried food, tinned food, flour, pasta, rice, sugar, blankets, footwear, cutlery, crockery and food preparation equipment.

Chris Bibby and Mark Jones are pictured loading one of the trucks.

International Aid's Ian Scott said they had been made aware of the situation months before the Allied planes moved in.

He said: "We have a pastor in Tyrana, the capital of Albania, who has kept us informed of what is happening via e-mail so we have had time to prepare for what has happened recently.

"Our people are out there waiting to distribute whatever we can send."

Two shipments have already been sent to the region, each containing a bakery, medical supplies and clothing.

It costs £3,000 for the charity to send out one lorry. Ian added: "People are more than welcome to make donations. Thousands are suffering and dying on our doorsteps." If you want to help, call the HQ on (01254) 832333.

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