A DIVING instructor has told of the moment a devastating tsunami crashed into the island paradise where he is working.

Justin Anderson, 28, from Abbotsbury, fled with his girlfriend to the hills minutes before a massive wave destroyed the town of Gizo in the Solomon Islands.

At least 28 people were killed and 1,000 homes wrecked when an earthquake measuring 8.1 magnitude hit the Pacific island on Monday.

Now Justin and his partner Philippa Dean are helping those who lost everything in the space of a few devastating moments.

The former Weymouth College student said: "The main earthquake hit at about 7.30am when we were just having a morning coffee in bed.

"The house shook like anything and we managed to get into a doorway and then out of the house.

"We received a call to say the tide had gone right out and there were rumours of a tsunami. The two waves when they hit were ferocious, from the top of the hill immediately after the quake you could see the sea turn green and fizz, then suck all the way out to the outer reef.

"We had to run for our lives as the house was shaking a couple of feet either way on its stilts.

"Everyone in the village ran up and the tide came right in and flooded most of the town and coastal villages."

Over the next few hours Justin and Philippa helped tourists and villagers who were walking around without food and water.

Fortunately the couple's house was one of the few that was still standing.

Philippa said: "By night we ended up being a bit of a soup kitchen, all the medical students at the makeshift hospital came to our house for a wash and food. All we had was a Christmas cake and biscuit crumbs.

"We couldn't sleep in the house, everyone was too scared. We were getting loads of aftershocks and all ended up in a clearing beneath a full moon."

Justin, who is six months into a two-year contract to work for scuba specialists Dive Gizo, said power had been restored to the island but there was work to do before life was back to normal.

"We're getting back to some loose sense of normality. The tremors have died down and the tsunami warning has been called off.

"Luckily it was morning so a lot of the children were up and getting ready for school - it could have been a lot worse."

His mother MaryLou Anderson said: "We are just very grateful they are safe.

"I don't think they'll come home yet, he's a caring chap and practical person who will do his best to help re-build the place."