The chairman of Essex charity 999 to Albania has urged people in north Essex to keep any items they intend to send to war-torn Kosovo.

Bob Finch, speaking from Korce, in Albania, said: "Everybody is swamped at the moment and things will be needed when these people go back to Kosovo.

"It's becoming a logistical problem for people having to look after refugees. I can't speak for the whole of Albania but people do have sufficient here and the warehouses are full," he added.

He said aid agencies including Essex-based Just Help still needed cash plus shampoo, sanitary towels, disposable nappies, men's razors and jars of baby food.

Other items should be stored, kept dry and would serve a better use later. Mr Finch admitted it was unclear when this would be and said: "It could be next week, next month or next year, but we are running out of warehouse space in Albania and storage is expensive."

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