LANCASHIRE firefighters have saved the lives of two people trapped beneath the rubble in Haiti.

A 60-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were rescued by the team on Saturday after three-and-a-half days beneath collapsed buildings in the devestated capital Port au Prince.

The group of eight men from stations including Blackburn, Burnley, Euxton and Chorley, tunnelled for up to seven hours to reach the casulaties, who are said to be recovering well.

John McKie, of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, who is leading the team in Haiti, said: “A 40-year-old woman was rescued from a building close to the supermarket. She was suffering from dehydration and had pressure sores. The teams worked for three to four hours on the extrication.

“A 60-year-old man has also been rescued who was in bed at the time of earthquake.

“Once located it took the team six to seven hours of tunnelling to reach him.

“He recovered well and only had minor injuries.

“We now have access to four US helicopters for reconnaissance.”

Mr McKie confirmed the group had experienced aftershocks of the earthquake, which hit the Carribbean island on Tuesday, but they had not caused any problems on the ground.

All team members are safe and are continuing the rescue operation.

The Lancashire team arrived on Friday and are part of the United Kingdom International Search and Rescue team along with six other units from across the country.

Haiti's worst quake in two centuries hit south of the capital Port-au-Prince, wrecking the presidential palace, UN HQ and other buildings including hospitals.

It was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.

The team from Lancashire is Andy Hayes, John McKie, Mark Southworth, Graham Mossop, Stuart Hardacre, Mark Monkhouse, Stuart Howarth and Andy Barnes.