Firefighting equipment being driven from Scotland to Palestine has been impounded by Israeli customs.

Firefighters left Dundee with two retired appliances on 3rd October, hoping to drive them all the way to Nablus in the West Bank. The trip has faced several snags, the first being one vehicle requiring to be abandoned in Greece after a mechanical failure. The equipment, including helmets, boots and breathing apparatus, was moved to the second appliance.

The Fire Brigades Union said the delay has been due to "unnecessary red tape".

Jim Malone of the FBU said:

"It's been impounded by the Israeli customs authority at Haifa port. They say we haven't got the proper documentation and the request for clearance from the Palestinian authority. We refute that, and say that documentation has been provided.

"What we have got is an assurance from both the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities that the equipment and the appliance will be delivered to the firefighters of Nablus very shortly."