A Shipley company specialising in bomb disposal has been put on stand-by by the United Nations as the threat of war with Iraq grows.

An eight-strong team of experts at MOS Cold Cutting Systems is waiting for the call to fly out to the Gulf to help with the clear-up operation once any military action is over.

Managing director Steve Tempest-Mitchell, pictured with bomb disposal equipment, said: "We can have everything ready within four to six days, then it's up to the UN how fast they get them into the theatre of where we are working."

Adapted from the oil industry, the cutting machines are operated 500 metres away from the bomb, using a CCTV system to view the delicate operation.

While the team does not go to the country until any conflict is over, there is still an element of danger.

Mr Tempest-Mitchell said: "We've always got the background situation, as we had in Kabul. It was all done bar the shouting but there were still some dissidents and some sniper fire.

"That's always in the back of the guy's minds and they are very observant and keep themselves to themselves. When they go there they will make the decision to stay and help out."

The company has already carried out bomb clearing operations in Afghanistan and Vietnam with the equipment, which works by blasting a mixture of water and industrial diamond powder through a fine jet.

Mr Tempest-Mitchell said his team cut into the bombs to allow the military disposal experts to remove the fuse. The spray can cut through just about anything and can also be used to 'flush out' explosives after a hole has been made in a shell or mine's casing.

"Once the bomb is made safe we go back in there and if it's a 2,000lb bomb we will be asked to cut it up to manageable sections so it can be moved away," he said.

As well as removing the risk to military bomb disposal experts, the clearance operation is of benefit to the invaded countries.

"It means the residents can also then go back into the areas," he said.