AN Accrington fire chief will next week lead a group of firefighters on a mercy mission to rebuild a Bosnian kindergarten.

Station Commander Colin Cunliffe and a team of 15 will set off for Tusla on April 1, taking with them individual skills and construction equipment.

The two-week expedition is funded by the charity War On Want and the firefighters will spend much of their time in Mosnik, which suffered heavy shelling by during the civil war.

Mr Cunliffe, who has been on aid missions to Armenia, Kurdistan, Romania and Tanzania, said: "We are optimistic that the mission will go well.

"The part we are going to is relatively safe, although there are mines hidden outside the main city of Tusla."

He added: "We see the work as a challenge and the people we help are always very grateful and greet us with open arms.

"The kindergarten we will refurbish was used as a refugee collection centre during the war and needs plaster on the walls and glass in the windows.

"It also needs rewiring, plumbing, tiling and decorating to make it fit for children to use."

County Councillor Bob Clark, the county's fire service and public protection committee chairman, said: "This project is more than just rebuilding a kindergarten - it will help the children rebuild their lives now that peace has come to Bosnia.

"Years of war have left them traumatised. The kindergarten will give them space to learn to play again, to try to forget the war and to heal their psychological wounds."

Firefighters Mark Southworth and Bill O'Connor, both from Blackburn, and Terry Ashworth from Darwen will also be travelling to Bosnia.

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