Nine-year-old Laura Thompson waited for hours for the first Kosovan refugees to arrive in the UK - then handed over her prized teddy.

The Yeadon youngster was among 25 people who gathered at Leeds-Bradford Airport yesterday afternoon to welcome the 161 men, women and children.

Then she handed over her favourite toy to one of the children who had flown in from Bradford's twin town, Skopje.

The Kosovans - 24 men, 63 women and 74 children - arrived with few belongings but to a heartening reception from volunteers and medics before they were taken by bus to a reception centre in Leeds.

Laura, of Hawthorn Road, Yeadon, presented the teddy to one of the children on the first coach going to Leeds.

She said: "I wanted to give it to them because I feel sorry for them losing their homes and being kicked out. My teddy Louise is one of my favourite toys but I wanted them to have it.

"We have been praying for the war to stop at my school, South View Juniors, in assemblies."

Her father David added: "She didn't just want to give the teddy to a charity but to give it personally."

Lucy O'Brien and her daughter Kathy, of Folly Hall Road, Wibsey, were also in the welcoming group. Kathy said: "We came to cheer them on and make them feel welcome in this country."

Earlier, scores of flashguns popped as cameramen from around the world captured the dramatic moment when the first of 161 Kosovan refugees stepped on to British soil.

First off was a little boy, four-year-old Alban Maksuti, dressed in red trousers and trainers, and escorted by a female airport worker. Close behind were a young girl, who waved to the crowd, and an elderly woman.

The final passenger to disembark was a boy, Asdren Elezi, who was in a wheelchair.

Avni Gosalci, 27, who fled from Kosovo with his wife Anita, 25, and their 10-week-old daughter Dielleza, said he was extremely concerned for the family he had left behind.

Serb police had given the family just two minutes' notice to leave their home in Pristina before they were herded on to a train bound for the Macedonian border, he said.

Avni, a chemistry student, said Serb forces threatened the Kosovars with knives.Young people were beaten up by policeman wearing black masks.

He told how he was only allowed out of Serbia because of his baby. "I held the baby in my arms. Without her, it would have been impossible to cross the border."

Baby Dielleza came to the rescue again when the family were chosen to come to Britain because they were seen as vulnerable.

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