CARING cops have left Lancashire for a mercy mission to Romania. Thirteen Lancashire Constabulary volunteers will deliver aid to orphanages and hospitals in the Hateg region.

The annual visits started after officers saw the plight of Romanian people on TV during the Ceausescu regime and decided they wanted to help.

The officers taking part include Sgt Mick Amos and PC Pete Sculfer, from Blackburn, Sgt Dave Huxley, Sgt Frank Gregson and PC Steve Berry, Accrington, and HQ-based PC Mike Harrison, who lives in Langho.

The officers suffered a setback when 180 bags of salt were stolen from their Leyland warehouse. And a transport crisis was narrowly avoided when a hire group offered vehicles at the last minute after promises of help fell through.

This will be the seventh and final time officers travel to Romania.

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