Four vehicles, including two fire engines, left Liskeard at the weekend, starting a 1,700-mile journey to new homes in eastern Europe.

A team of volunteers from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, including Liskeard station manager Robert Collins, and rotary clubs in the county are delivering the vehicles to Albania and Kosovo. It is part of the Rotary district's Overseas Project and will see two fire engines and two adapted minibuses delivered.

One fire engine will go to Albania where it will be the first fire and rescue appliance for the community of Bajram Curri, while the other will go to Gjakova in Kosovo. The fire appliances have been donated by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and have been fully equipped to include crash rescue equipment and breathing apparatus.

In addition to a fire engine to improve its fire and rescue capability, Gjakova will also benefit from two purpose-built Mercedes minibuses to be used by the charity, Handikos, which works with the disabled community.

See this week's Cornish Times for more details.