Bristol kebab seller Sakir Yildirim has returned from an 8,000-mile trip delivering aid to war-torn Gaza.

Sakir, 40, who lives in Fishponds, drove to Gaza in an ambulance filled with items to help people who had lost their homes in the bombing.

The money to buy the ambulance was raised by the local Turkish community and left from Gloucester Road on February 20.

Local people helped fill the ambulance with practical aid.

Father-of-three Sakir said: "It's wonderful to be back in Bristol after this amazing journey. I'm keen to tell everyone about Gaza.

"I saw the horrendous devastation caused by the Israeli bombardment, the numerous wrecked buildings, people living in tents and many grieving families.

"But despite the problems and the shortages the people were working very hard. The streets were clean, we were welcomed everywhere we went – the people were truly delightful."

Sakir said he wants to return to Gaza with more aid.

He said: "After all I've seen I feel I can't rest. I'd like to build closer links between our two cities and I personally want to go back again and again, with more vehicles and more practical aid.

"There is so much we can do to help Gaza and from what I've seen it is truly needed."

Sakir drove from Britain on his own across France and Italy, crossed by ferry to Greece, and from there onto Turkey.

On the way he met a convoy from Scotland heading for Gaza and travelled with them through Syria, Jordan, and Egypt arriving at the Rafah crossing on March 7.

He said: "Most people don't realise that Gaza is still suffering occasional bombing. Just as we crossed into Gaza we heard bombs falling nearby. It was quite a shock, to say the least."

During his stay he visited hospitals and a university. He also met grieving families and saw scores of ruined houses, the bombed Parliament building, and wrecked police stations and farms.

He handed over the ambulance to a medical clinic in Gaza.

The practical aid was donated to an orphanage.

Sakir said: "It was especially good to see the clothes, blankets, medicines and children's toys, which had come all the way from Bristol, being carried into the orphanage. I also donated my sleeping bag, my pillow, and even my spare trousers."

Sakir also donated a laptop computer provided by the local group Bristol Computers 4 Palestine. This group appeals for laptop computers which it refurbishes and sends to Palestine for educational and community use.

He plans to share his experiences at meetings in the city in the next few weeks.