TWO Newport peace activists who are in Baghdad helping children orphaned by the war in Iraq say they are witnessing bombings and shootings on a daily basis.

Kevin and Helen Williams, from Malpas, are providing meals for the growing number of children living on the streets of the Iraqi capital and are hoping to set up their own orphanage.

But the couple say they are living with a constant backdrop of violence in Baghdad.

On Friday, the Palestine and Sheraton hotels, which were opposite their hotel in central Baghdad, were bombed and the couple have now moved to another hotel because of the high risk of further attacks in the area.

And on Saturday, the couple had a lucky escape when an Iraqi security guard's gun went off accidentally as he confronted them at a checkpoint.

Mr Williams said: "There was loads and loads of shouting and his finger hit the trigger and two shots rang out on to the ground next to us and ricocheted up the guard's leg, though he was not hurt. We were terrified. We knew it was right next to us. We were fine in the end but shaken up.

"We have been feeding the street kids on a daily basis. They generally get a falafel and salad sandwich, two bits of fruit and more bread. There is a scramble for the food and it gets quite rough - food everywhere."