A former regional press reporter who quit to make his mark as a freelance foreign correspondent has been forced to leave Iraq after spending the build-up – and first few days of the Gulf War – in Baghdad.

Phil Sands, formerly of the Northampton Chronicle & Echo and Watford Observer, was told by the authorities to leave.

He has been filing copy to his former employers and readers have been catching up on his retreat after being branded a security risk by an Iraqi official.

Before he left he said: “I genuinely think the risks are worth taking, there will be events which should be covered and I want to fulfil a personal ambition.”

He flew first to Amman in Jordan and then on to Iraq, and stayed five weeks, living as a human shield protester.

His journey back again was on a bus to the Syrian capital, Damascus.

He told Chronicle & Echo readers: “The road to Damascus is a shooting gallery.

“Any vehicle moving on the ground, across the huge wastelands that separate the cities of Iraq and its neighbours, is a potential target for prowling fighter planes.

“Many have been hit. Coaches, cars, jeeps, antique anti-aircraft guns and Iraqi armoured vehicles lie in ruins.”

He was in the Iraqi capital as the “shock and awe” missiles fell during heavy early bombing – and despite being away from danger, Phil was still yearning to be at the centre of the story.

He signed off his story: “I know I am lucky to be away from the chaos… I wish I were still there, lost somewhere in the storm.”

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