A REFUSE collector turned international helper when he headed off on a mercy mission to war torn Kosova yesterday.

Peter Rutherford, who drives a refuse collection lorry, was given two weeks leave from Easington District Council to take part in the overseas convoy.

Organised by the GMB union, the fleet of vans will be taking vital supplies to help ease the suffering in Kosovo.

And to give Peter an encouraging farewell a whole team of councillors and officials, including leader, Councillor Alan Napier and chairman, Councillor Bill Peardon, turned out to wish him well on his long journey.

It is the second time Peter has made a trip to help people caught up in a crisis.

In May 1999 he completed a similar mission to Albania. GMB organiser Terry Scarr, who is also one of the drivers making the trip, said: "We are going out to a village which consists mainly of women and children who have lost their husbands and fathers ,or do not know where they are.

"The vans are packed with food, clothes and other supplies which have been collected by our GMB members."