Forty soldiers from 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps (RLC), have set sail to Haiti to aid current relief efforts.

The troops will cross the Atlantic on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply ship, RFA Largs Bay, carrying aid from the UK Government, national and international Non-Governmental Organisations and donations from the British Public.

The relief cargo includes Land Rovers from the Red Cross and Save the Children and construction materials to provide desperately needed homes.

The RLC soldiers are specialists at moving kit and equipment especially ashore and across beaches, and can work around the clock. They have with them a Maxi Raft, which is capable of carrying 100 tonnes of cargo in shallow waters, and two landing craft which can carry up to 20 personnel and light vehicles.

The ship is expected arrive on the 15 February and the troops will stay in the area to assist with the movement of further relief, which needs moving around the coast to difficult to access areas.