Special report

BRAVE firefighters from East Lancashire have returned home from a mercy mission to one of the world's most dangerous trouble spots.

The 15 men were under 24-hour armed guard during part of their aid mission to Algeria, scene of several bloody massacres in recent weeks.

Home Office officials had warned against the mission to feed and clothe 180,000 refugees after hard-line terrorists threatened to kill foreign visitors.

The firefighters visited the country as part of an expedition organised by relief organisations War on Want and Rainbow Rovers to help Saharawi nomads left homeless and starving in a territorial dispute.

Ten of the men flew into the country's capital Algiers, which has been the been scene of much bloodshed since violence erupted following an election.

The other five drove three lorries - loaded with warehouse sections and £1 million-worth of fake designer clothes donated following factory raids by Trading Standards officials - as part of a 120-vehicle convoy from Europe. Retired fire chief Colin Cunliffe said: "Algiers is a city under siege. Everyone is barricaded in during nights because it is almost civil war outside."

Blackburn station officer Andy Barnes, who was among the men stopping off in Algiers, said: "The airport was heavily guarded and we had an armed escort to and from the hotel. Once we were in the hotel we were not allowed out.

The lorry convoy was stopped as it entered Algeria because of fears for the aid workers' safety.

Mr Cunliffe said: "The authorities were afraid for the welfare and safety of the volunteers, so a plane was chartered to take all the workers to Tindouf."

The supply vehicles were then driven south by Saharawi people through some of the country's most violent enclaves. The rest of the firefighters' two-week mission was spent building food supply warehouses for the refugees. Conditions proved testing in the harsh desert region. Blistering temperatures meant the firefighters had to rest during afternoons and a 36-hour sandstorm hampered building work.

Mr Cunliffe said: "I was mindful of the responsibility of being in charge of the men. I was always conscious of the dangers, such as someone falling ill or being injured, so I am obviously relieved to be back home.

"The mission was a challenge and an adventure. We are satisfied that it was a job well done."

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