AN East Lancashire aid-worker has described how she was tear-gassed by police after being caught up in riots as a country descended into crisis.

Teacher Sheila Marshall, 48, left Blackburn for Mongolia in February and has sent messages home to friends speaking of her ordeal in the country.

Mongolia's president imposed an unprecedented state of emergency in the capital Ulan Bator, where Sheila lives, after post-election rioting amid allegations the vote was rigged.

The headquarters of the ruling Mongolian People’s Revolutionary party was torched and five people were reported killed.

In an email to friends the teacher at St Mary's College, Blackburn, said the situation was “quite serious”, although the state of emergency was lifted on Saturday.

A ban was imposed on travel, which meant that Shelia was unable to leave the country.

She said: “As you are more than likely aware, political issues here are quite serious. I have been out of town but snippets of information started to filter through about buildings on fire, riots etc. So it was clear this was an extraordinary situation.

“Whilst advice was to avoid the ‘square’, unfortunately that was my route back to the flat.

“In trying to avoid the square me and Brian, another volunteer, walked down Peace Avenue only to walk almost straight into the disturbance.

“There were many many people about and clearly a huge disturbance across the road from us which I now gather is the political party building.

“There we heard what we thought were firecrackers going off but it was only when my eyes began to really sting and my throat to hurt that we realised it was tear gas! “Things around the city look a bit grim, with a large presence of police and army heavily armed and tanks and road blocks in place.

“There were overturned burnt out cars and the building set alight looked gutted. There is a complete alcohol ban and no petrol sales.

“This will probably my last contact for some time, so hope you all have a lovely summer.”

It is the first time that a state of emergency has ever been declared in Mongolia.

Andy McAllister who knows Sheila through the Blackburn Road Runners group and is currently looking after her dog Harvey while she is away.

He said: “She is due to begin a new posting soon which will get her out of the capital.

“It is just a matter of making sure she can stay safe for a few more days.

“She can look after herself and if the authorities are telling people to stay indoors until the situation calms down then I am sure that is what she will do.”

Sheila began a 12-month stint in the country in February working as a tourism adviser and co-ordinator to help boost local tourism projects.

The placement has been organised by the international development charity, Voluntary Service Overseas.

She has been working in Sagsai Soum in western Mongolia, but has been based in the capital.

International observers have said the election appeared to be fair. The US embassy, which had praised the organisation of the election, said it was “deeply concerned” by the violence.

Mongolia is east of Europe and borders Russia to the north and China to the south.

Voluntary Service Overseas organises work placements for skilled professionals like Sheila from a range of different work backgrounds.