A Haverfordwest firefighter who has just returned from saving lives in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake has said that the experience will live with him forever.

Gerwyn Howells, watch manager at Pembroke Dock fire station, was the team leader for the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service's unit.

He was joined by Haverfordwest crew manager Phil Irving and Pembroke Dock firefighter Paul Dyson. All three were part of the UK's 61 strong search and rescue mission.

They were involved in the rescue of two-year-old Mia who had been trapped in the rubble of her kindergarten since the 7.2 earthquake hit the island on Tuesday January 12th.

Gerwyn described how rescuers eventually made a small hole outside the building and heard the tot say she could see daylight.

"After about two hours we freed her from her tomb. She was unscathed, fully clothed with little ribbons in her hair.

"It was a very strong feeling of emotion, of happiness and sadness rolled into one. Some children in the building lost their lives but for that little girl it was the end of a nightmare."

The following day Gerwyn's team was called to assist another team who had found a 39-year-old woman trapped under concrete slabs.

Her teenage daughter, who had not survived the quake, was alongside her.

After around three hours of digging Haverfordwest crew manager Phil Irving, was able to crouch down into the gap they had created, pass the woman water and communicate with her.

They used cardboard to shield the woman from sharp edges in the rubble and pulled her free.

"She was overwhelmed with gratitude, crying and screaming," said Gerwyn. "I had to bite my lips and turn away to hide my tears because her daughter was dead."

The three Pembrokeshire men returned home to a heroes' welcome on Saturday.

"It was not easy to leave," said Gerwyn. "The desperation and the glimmers of hope are all mixed into one. It's something that will always be with you until the end of your life, one of those things that will always stick in your memory."