THREE Hampshire firefighters, including one who works near Winchester, are back home after helping to rescue three people from the rubble in Haiti.

Firefighters Keith Bellamy, Dave Heybourne and John Taylor have been reunited with their loved ones after more than a week searching for survivors in the capital Port-au-Prince.

Mr Taylor, a retained fireman, works for the ambulance service at its Otterbourne headquarters.

During that time the trio, who formed part of a 64-strong team from the UK, pulled three people to safety, including a two-year-old girl called Mia.

They also saved the lives of a 55-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman who were dug free from the rubble, as well as offering medical assistance to scores of people seriously injured by the earthquake.

In the immediate aftermath the Department of International Development deployed the UK International Search and Rescue Team to the devastated country, which was co-ordinated from Hampshire fire headquarters in Eastleigh.

Speaking of the team's return to Gatwick this morning, Councillor Royston Smith, chairman of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Fire Authority, said: "The people of Hampshire can be proud of the efforts of their Fire and Rescue Service's search and rescue professionals. Their skills and experience have been put to good use in helping the people of Haiti at a time of dire need.

"I would like to thank them on behalf of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority for the work they have done both in Haiti and at the UK ISAR co-ordination centre here in Hampshire."

Chief Officer of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, John Bonney, added: "Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was off call for this deployment after attending the Indonesian earthquake last October.

"However, we still sent a team of three firefighters to Haiti as well as co-ordinating the effort from the UK. I believe this shows a tremendous professional dedication from our urban search and rescue team.”