ENGINEERS from Wrough-ton firm Halcrow are vowing to continue their work to help re-build Iraq in spite of the deaths of 12 foreign contract workers in the past fortnight.

Workers from Halcrow, of Burderop Park between Wroughton and Chiseldon, have been unaffected by incidents which mainly occurred in Baghdad and the northern areas of the country.

Among the contractors killed was Scott Mounce 29, from Inverness who worked for an Italian telecommunications firm.

Dick Trimble is a Halcrow engineer and team leader of the Rapid Infrastructure Group and he is usually based in Swindon.

Currently working in Basra, he said: "We follow the general advice and direction of the Coalition Provisional Authority but specific daily meetings are held with the close protection team to review threat levels and plan movements.

"We have to be vigilant and manage our movements and work in such a way as to minimise any personal risk."

Halcrow has had a presence in Iraq since May 2003 and is currently involved with the refurbishment of 48 buildings including hospitals, offices and schools in Basra in Nasiryah, Amarah and Samawah.

The company is also providing design services for damaged bridges and it monitored dredging work for the Umm Qasr seaport.

Although Basra is one of the safer places to be in Iraq, the Halcrow engineers have been issued with flak jackets as worn by soldiers in the region.

The threat of criminal activity and attacks from roadside bombs has also increased leaving them no choice but to travel in armoured vehicles.

Mr Trimble said: "The security situation restricts our movement so staff are based in the hotel and make visits to the sites at different times to reduce the risks. No movement outside the hotel is permitted after dark so social activities are very limited."

But despite the continuing violence the Iraqi population in Basra appear to appreciate the efforts being made to refurbish the buildings.

Mr Trimble pointed out: "Although much of the damage was from looting after the fall of Saddam, the past 25 years has seen almost no maintenance or development plus three wars so repairs now are covering 25 years of neglect.

"We are pleased that the work we are doing is helping to improve the quality of life."

Garry Whitaker, a spokesman for Halcrow said: "The security and safety of our workers in Iraq is taken seriously.

'Their security is maintained by a team of specialists each one of whom has considerable experience."

Anthony Osborne