A CONVOY of aid vehicles being driven from East Lancashire to war-torn Gaza is back on the road after being halted by terror police.

Nine men, six of whom have been released without charge, were arrested by officers on the M65 on Friday night during an anti-terror operation.

The vehicles, carrying medicines, clothing and blankets, organised by the Lancashire Council of Mosques, were set to join a 100 vehicle convoy on its way to Gaza.

After police tests were completed the vans and their contents were released by officers late on Monday night.

Coun Salim Mulla said the last few days had been “crazy” but he was glad that the aid was back on the road driving to Dover yesterday to cross the Channel to Calais by ferry last night.

“From there they will travel to Marseille and Tunis in north Africa where they will meet up with the convoy,” he said.

“The past two or three days have been a humiliating experience for those involved but they were determined not to be put off and are still part of the trip.”

Ali Mohammed Hafejee, 19, from Audley, Younus Rawat, 27, from Pleckgate, Ismail Satia, 23, from Little Harwood, Umar Patel, 20, and a 20-year-old from Daisyfield, who has asked to be named only as Mr Ahmed, were arrested under the Terrorism Act on Friday on the M65.

They were going to London with four others – three of whom are still being question by police – to join a convoy taking aid to Palestine.