Three businessmen caught up in the Bali bombs are due to leave the terror stricken island to fly home today.

Business partners Neil Cullen, Philip Jarman and Hugh Sugden were being driven towards Kuta Square, in the heart of the South East Asian island's tourist area, when the blast struck just 200 metres away.

The friends, all from the Silsden and Steeton area, had planned on flying home after their five-day business trip yesterday but were forced to wait until today for a flight and abandon their business venture after the attacks, which claimed at least 19 lives.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus from Bali, Mr Cullen, 47, said: "We have been told by the airline we will be leaving today but we are not sure which way we are flying. We expect to arrive in London in the early hours of tomorrow.

"Things have calmed down quite a lot today. It's a bit subdued but people are trying to be positive and support the Bali people. We were so close to it. It was one of those things you just don't expect to happen."

Mr Cullen, Mr Jarman, 43, of Silsden and 38-year-old Mr Sugden, of Steeton, returned to the scene of the wreckage yesterday. "There are lots of flowers and tributes and candles outside where the bomb went off," said Mr Cullen, who is president of Silsden Park Rangers rugby league club. "It was absolutely packed. There were a lot of local people and the media are here in large numbers.

"One man I spoke to was carrying a home-made poster the day after the bombing, pleading for people to donate blood.

"The bombs went off inside the restaurant so a lot of the force was contained within the building. It blew the restaurant out and there is still debris outside."

The friends, who had travelled to Bali many times before, had not been back since the terrorist attacks of three years ago. They were looking at property for holiday homes but Mr Cullen said the bomb blasts had ended their plans for the moment.

"I think we will go out again but it will be a while," he said. "We will see how the economy bears the disturbance."

The friends were on their way back to their hotel when the bombs went off.

After more than 12 hours of uncertainty for friends and family back in the UK they managed to get through to people to say they were safe.

"We are concerned about being here still," said Mr Cullen. "Last night the streets were almost deserted. Everyone had gone back to their hotels. Security staff are looking through people's bags as they go in and out of the hotel and looking under cars with mirrors.

"Everyone is pulling together and has been very helpful. The Balinese people are devastated by it. All the good work that's gone on here to rebuild the tourist industry has gone down the pan."