CHARITY worker Rod Jones has carried out another Christmas mission to Romania.

Hundreds of Romanian peasants look forward to the visits from 'Mr Rod', which he has made for the past 14 years.

The 57-year-old founder of Teesside based Convoy Aid said: "I am in a Catch-22 situation.

"I have got somewhere in the region of 240 old people - pensioners with no income or very little.

"If I walked away from them, they would not get a regular food supply.

"And there are a lot of small children in low income families.''

A Convoy Aid lorry left Stockton before Christmas for Romania, loaded with 22 tons of medicines, hospital equipment, food and living essentials.

Mr Jones and his wife, Gabriela, followed in their 4x4 with 420 Christmas presents, which were safely stored in a custom-made box fastened to specially-welded roof racks on the vehicle.

The presents had been donated by people from across the region.

They also took snow chains and sleds for the front wheels of the Jeep.

Mr Jones, who carries on with his trips despite a catalogue of medical problems, said: "People have been good enough to give. I can't leave these gifts behind.

"And I am prepared to do this as long as people are prepared to support me.''