Bovey Tracey painter and decorator Anthony Thomas has ruled himself out of taking part in the relief mission after Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Mr Thomas, 48, is a veteran of several natural disasters through his voluntary work with Rapid UK.

But for the first time he has, reluctantly, had to tell the rescue organisation that commitments here mean he cannot be among the British contingency should the Japanese government ask for assistance.

'I know it sounds crass but I simply can't make myself available,' he told the Advertiser. 'What has happened there is frightening. The sad fact is that following a tsunami there is often nothing we can do as there is usually nothing to search for.

'People either tend to die immediately or survive without our assistance.

'In the areas struck by the earthquake of course there will be searches to be carried out among the rubble. I'm sorry I can't volunteer but that's just how it is and it's the first time I've had to say no.'

In January 2010 Mr Thomas was one of nine Rapid UK volunteers who travelled to Port au Prince to help in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. From a secure tented compound at the capital's airport he and his colleagues travelled out daily to collapsed buildings, crawling through the debris in search of those entombed but alive.

The team needed soldiers to protect them from the armed looters roaming the streets.

Clive Hodges, chief executive with Rapid UK, said his organisation was on standby and that many volunteer rescue workers had come forward saying they would be available.

'We have formally offered our help but at the moment the Japanese government has asked us and other aid agencies to stay where we are, they are not ready for us yet,' he told the Advertiser. 'Clearly we will react immediately should the situation change.'

Friday's tragedy struck northern Japan at 2.46pm local time, 5.46am GMT. An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter Scale was recorded off the north east Japanese coast.

The effects were felt across much of the country with people 250 miles away in Tokyo saying it was one of the biggest they had felt.

A tsunami measuring 33ft struck the port of Sendai, wreaking havoc as it swept ships, buildings and vehicles inland. Reports said the number of deaths had reached up to 300 at least.

Friends and relatives of those in Japan can contact the Foreign Office in the UK on 020 7008 0000.