An Oswestry priest has shared his experiences of being an airport chaplain during the 9/11 attacks.

Reverend Father Phil Hughes, now at St Oswald's Church, was a chaplain at London Gatwick and Heathrow Airport for 12 years.

He spoke about his time at the airports to Borderland Rotary.

Father Hughes said: "Just about everyone has passed through airports and I suspect few can remember seeing a chaplain, but there is always one somewhere.

"Being an airport chaplain is never dull as the parish is ever-changing and parishioners are constantly on the move – and often in a hurry.

"You need stamina, patience and tolerance."

Father Hughes was involved in major incident planning with airport management and emergency services, which he said helped during the 9/11 attacks.

He said: "While all eyes were on screens looking at the unfolding disaster in the USA, at London Gatwick Airport we had local issues to deal with.

"All flights were cancelled, the terminals were full, the roads around the airport were full and all the local hotels, in their wisdom, trebled and quadrupled their prices leaving travellers both stranded, distraught and frightened.

"I was in touch with all the local parishes and together we found accommodation for many of the stranded souls and helped a great many others as well.

"Once again, our work was unseen – due to the enormity of the tragedy – but that is our lot – to serve."