WEST Devon based TV cameraman Pete Atkinson, currently working in Libya, this week sent the Times an update on life in war-torn Tripoli.

Pete works for Associated Press as a live stand cameraman. AP have a fixed camera point on the roof of the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli.

TV companies from all over the world use AP's facility — their reporters book air time and AP film them as they report back to their home countries.

Pete's report: August 26: 'We had lots of gunfire today. Planes from the coalition were flying overhead for most of the day. Every so often we would hear a loud deep explosion, we know this to be a bomb dropped by the NATO planes.

'Next thing we see black smoke coming from an area just outside the city.

'Mid-way through the day power to our hotel was cut off. We are now using the hotel generator, but we do not know how long that will last as fuel is scarce.

'We were booked to do a live for ITN on their 6.30 news. The reporter is James Mates.

'About five minutes before we go live, a gun battle starts outside our hotel. Bullets are bouncing off the hotel wall. A rebel fighter comes up onto our area and starts to return fire, we all hit the deck and wait.

'The rebel fighter leaves but not until he has let off another hail of bullets.

'Just as we are about to go on air the rebel fighters start to shoot again and we have to crouch down out of the incoming fire. We cancelled the live.'

Pete said the evening was quiet after this, and the power was restored at about 10pm.

He said: 'Getting to sleep is not a problem, staying asleep is though. At 1am the next morning four loud explosions wake me, I look out of the hotel room window — very carefully, there are snipers around — I see patches of red in the night sky, the rebels are attacking another Gaddafi target.

'I am sending you this email at 6am your time the sun has just risen over Tripoli and all is fine with the world. As I typed that last line I heard my first gunfire of the day. Oh well, here we go again.'

August 27: 'Saturday was pretty quiet, although NATO bombers were very busy. They bombed (we believe) the airport allowing the rebels to take it over.

'They were bombing for 20 minutes solid.

'Also we have found out that we will all be out of running water today. The water for Tripoli comes from the south of Libya, it is pumped up by large electric pumps and we have heard that the power to them has been cut.

'We are told that even if they get the pumps working it will be a week before water will be available.

'Looks like we are in for a smelly week . . .

'Also heard that an Italian reporter was shot in the leg by a sniper. The reporter was waiting to do a live broadcast in a nearby hotel.

'Good news today, it's a little cloudy so temperatures may stay below 40.

August 28: 'It is very quiet no gun fire at all. Most of the press are taking a two-day journey to Sirte. Rebel fighters are trying to take Sirte. We will be quiet for the next day or so.

'Will try to keep in touch, but communication is limited. All the best to you and the good people of Tavistock.

'I hope to be back in late September and I am looking forward to a very cold pint of Strongbow at the Edgcumbe Arms.'