The head of a Bradford charity with aid workers in Iraq admitted today he may have to cut numbers as the situation worsens.

Human Relief boss Dr Nabil Ramadhani, from Fairweather Green, said the worsening security situation was giving cause for concern.

He said he had been targeted by car thieves but had a lucky escape.

He said: "The last time I was there I was followed in my car by four people and they stopped me and tried to take it off me.

"I managed to get away though. It was scary. I keep wondering who will look after me if anything happens.

"In the last month it has got a lot, lot worse. I would never withdraw totally, because the Iraqis need us and our work.

"But it may be that we have to reduce our numbers. At the moment we have good relations with the Iraqi people."

His charity, based in Great Horton, had raised thousands of pounds towards the reconstruction of Iraq and Dr Ramadhani makes regular trips over there to check on progress.

His workers are helping with the rebuilding of orphanages, schools, old people's homes and hospitals and have been distributing food and medical supplies.

They are still sending a container-load of aid every month and work out of two centres in Baghdad and Mosul. A colleague is due out there at the end of this month.

Dr Ramadhani said it was vital for the United Nations to get more involved as the hand-over of power draws nearer on June 30.

He added: "Some people want the coalition there but others do not think they care and want them out. More authority has to go the UN and more countries need to share the burden. We cannot take all of the responsibility.

"The US wants everything controlled in their hands. This is not possible because Iraq is so huge."