VEHICLES prepared for Kosova and Albania as part of the Rotary District 1290s Overseas Project departed from Launceston Fire Station at 9am on Sunday morning.

As part of the 39th aid project undertaken by the district (covering Cornwall, Plymouth and West Devon) the team will travel 1,700 miles in a refurbished Dennis fire engine and Mercedes mini-bus.

The vehicles are being generously donated by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and include crash equipment and breathing apparatus, as well as the appropriate training required.

The team travelling consists of ten Rotarians, five Cornish fire fighters and a civilian mechanic.

Vehicles also for donation leaving from another station comprise one Dennis fire engine, a second Mercedes mini-bus and an Isuzu fast response rescue vehicle.

Gjakova, in the Republic of Kosova, and Basram Curri, Northern Albania, will be the provinces to benefit from their usage. The fire engine that will arrive in Basram Curri will be the first in that region and the fourth from the Rotarians to go to Albania.

The Mercedes mini-buses will offer the 11,000 disabled persons of Gjakova with travel support and will be run by charity, Handikos.

Protective fire fighting equipment and an array of medical equipment, including a heart treadmill, will also be given to the respective fire and rescue stations.