A YORK-BASED volunteer-sending agency has evacuated its staff from Palestine because of the war.

About eight volunteers from the International Service have left Gaza and the West Bank as their safety could not be guaranteed.

Meanwhile, members of the Parachute Regimental Association held their annual church service at All Saints' Church, Pavement, York.

At the service they gave their support to British soldiers in the Gulf.

Updated: 10:13 Monday, March 24, 2003