STOURBRIDGE firefighters searching for Japanese earthquake and tsunami survivors are to return home, as heavy snow continues to fall and fears of a nuclear disaster mount.

West Midlands Fire Service has confirmed its team which includes Rudy Parkes from Wollescote, Dean Harris from Stourbridge and Russ Gauden from Kinver will be pulling out of the stricken country - where they have been searching for survivors in the wrecked coastal cities of Ofunato and Kamaishi.

Despite extensive search efforts only bodies, not survivors, have been found among the smashed remnants of the once bustling communities on the north east coastline.

Kinver firefighter Russ Gauden, watch commander at Dudley Fire Station, said yesterday there was “a small percent of hope” that they may find people trapped in the rubble five to six days after the 8.9 quake and killer wave struck.

But with heavy snow and falling temperatures hitting the search areas and growing fears of a nuclear catastrophe at the troubled Fukushima plant the team has decided to return home.

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said tonight: “Following a discussion with Japanese disaster authorities, the UK team and their US counterparts have agreed not to extend their rescue operations and will begin to withdraw from Japan.

"The team plans to travel 200km north to the airport in Misawa where they initially landed.

"The team remain fit, well and in good spirits.”

The team flew out as part of the 63-strong UK Search and Rescue delegation last Saturday (March 12) - taking two search dogs and 11 tonnes of search and rescue equipment.