FOUR North-East businessmen who escaped a suicide bomb attack by minutes were reunited with their families yesterday.

Clothing company worker Tony Wilson, 51, of Peterlee, County Durham, was in the Moroccan city of Casablanca with three colleagues when the bomb was detonated in their hotel foyer.

Three people, including the bomber, were killed. A total of 41 people died in a series of suicide attacks across the North African city on Friday night.

Mr Wilson, a garment technical manager, had been out for dinner with Mel Potter, 50, from Pity Me, County Durham, Brian Reed, 40, from Hartlepool, and a fourth man, who did not want to be named, when the suicide bomber struck at the Hotel Safir.

The four only missed being in the hotel when the bomb went off because they had gone for a drink on the spur of the moment.

"Everything could have been so different," said Mr Wilson. "After we'd eaten, we left and decided to go for one last drink with colleagues who were leaving. As we walked along we heard a big bang.

"Had we had changed our itinerary and returned ten minutes earlier we could have been there."

Mr Wilson added: "I will not be intimidated by what has happened. Life has got to go on. A lot of people over there depend on us. I will be going back.

"I have been working out there for eight years and still believe it is a relatively safe place."

Mr Potter said: "I don't think I felt particularly scared, but you never imagine something like this happening."

The father-of-two, who has travelled to Casablanca for 12 years, also said he would not be afraid to return.

"I certainly would not have any problems going back," he said.