Scots firefighters take off to help

SIX specially trained Scottish firefighters have flown out to New Zealand to join the search for survivors of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch.

The Grampian Fire and Rescue Service group are the only Scots in the United Kingdom International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR), which is on call 24 hours a day to respond to humanitarian accidents or disasters anywhere in the world.

Scott Imray, 50, the leader of the Grampian team, said: "We are going out there to assist in any way we can - whether it be search and rescue, medical assistance or anything else that is asked of us. A lot will depend on the situation which faces us once we get there.

"There is every chance that we can still help find survivors, because people could live quite a considerable time after the earthquake."