BUSINESSMAN Andrew Howe and his colleagues armed himself with machetes, a petrol bomb and sticks as they were caught up in the Egypt riots.

They feared they were about to be attacked by gangs of rampaging looters at their motel complex in Alexandria.

But last night, the foundry owner was safely back at home in Penistone, reunited with his wife Sue and teenage children Molly and George.

Now he is desperately trying to find out what has happened to the employees he has in Egypt and to his foundry in Alexandria.

Mr Howe, formerly of Brighouse, who has a steelworks in Bolton and foundry in Alexandria, does not know when he will be able to return to Egypt where he has had a business for five years.

He managed to get out on Sunday night, despite a curfew, and caught a flight to the United Arab Emirates before finally flying in to Manchester.

“It was very frightening,’’ he said.

“But the worst thing is that my wife and children had been watching it on TV and were not able to get through to me for more than 24 hours because all phone and internet communications were down.

“They had no idea what was happening until I finally managed to get a call through.”

Mr Howe flew into Alexandria last month on one of his regular trips. He usually visits the foundry in the Freezone area of Alexandria every other month.

It is the sister firm to a plant he runs in Bolton.