Ref. 28423-30A SWINDON aid worker will be hoping for a peaceful New Year when he returns to the Balkans.

James Nicholls, 26, of Goddard Avenue in Old Town will be flying back to Kosovo after spending the Christmas period with family and friends in Swindon.

He will be joined by Belgium-born wife Maike, 25.

The pair first went to the Balkans in May 2002, hoping to make a difference after seeing how people's lives were torn apart by ethnic hatred.

Although, the Kosovar Albanians who make up around 90 per cent of the population were officially liberated from Serbia by the West four years ago, tensions are still high.

One of the ways that Nato the governing force behind the reconstruction of Kosovo is attempting to defuse the situation is through mass community projects.

The film Tailors For Peace Project is just one initiative currently running.

James is one of the many foreign workers working on the film, which features both Albanian and Serb cast members.

"My task is to interview the script writers and producers," he said.

"We are hoping art will transcend the violence and bring the people of this country together."

Before the film, James had been working for the American Refugee Committee, which involved finding food and shelter for homeless people.

Despite the violent history and the occasional flashpoint James a neuroscience graduate insists the country is beginning to get back on its feet.

He said: "Nato forces are still there but their presence is significantly less than what it was.

"You do still see some trouble now and again but the ethnic fighting is fading. I actually feel safer walking around Kosovo than London."

kshoesmith@newswilts.co.uk

Maike meanwhile, will be returning to a one-and-a-half year United Nations development project.

The project is designed to train the country's young leaders.

With 65 per cent of the country under 25 Maike says it is crucial they are given as much support as possible so they can re-build their communities.

She said: "The country has a lot of potential but it needs its leaders.

"The people are so warm and hospitable and despite everything they have gone through they can still laugh."

Maike adds the country can now go two ways.

She said: "Kosovo is becoming very Westernised and I do not think that is the right direction it should be going in.

"I believe it will lose that strong sense of community. They think the Western model is perfect when we know it isn't.

"They desperately need to preserve their own ways, while still moving forward that will be their biggest task."

This is not the first time that James has left his comfortable Swindon home for life in the world's disaster hotspots.

In 2001 he spent a month out in Bosnia completing similar tasks.

And in early 2002 he set off on a mission to GujaratCOR in India, where he worked as an international youth co-ordinator, helping to bring relief to thousands affected by the devastating earthquake.

He said: "I want to spend my life helping people and doing things that are useful."