A TEAM of rescue workers led by a Scots fireman was last night frustrated in its bid to help in the search for survivors following last week's earthquake in Afghanistan.

Mr Willie McMartin, of Grangemouth-based International Rescue Corps, was hoping to lead his 10-strong team into the Rustaq district of Takhar Province today. Up to 4500 people are believed to have been killed in last Wednesday's earthquake. But yesterday the team was stuck in Islamabad. IRC's co-ordinator Gary O'Shea said: ''Willie says he has exhausted every avenue possible to get a flight or other form of transport. The Pakistani authorities are not being helpful.''