FINDING fresh water supplies for African villages ravaged by disease is the latest assignment for a Warminster soldier.

Staff sergeant Tony Higgins, 34, is leading a team of eight from the 521 Specialist Team Royal Engineers on a water-aid project in the Tolon-Kumbunga district of northern Ghana.

Working alongside charity St Dunstan's, the soldiers, who flew out today, will be looking for sources of fresh water to help eradicate diseases.

The Tolon-Kumbunga district has one of the highest rates of sight-loss and visual impairment in the whole of Africa.

The epidemic is primarily caused by the bacteria Trachoma, which spreads rapidly in communities where there is little or no access to clean water.

Mr Higgins and his comrades will be overseeing the drilling of 20-bore holes in ten villages.

It is hoped fresh water supplies will be found in at least a third of the locations.

The operation is stage two of a project undertaken by the Royal Engineers, who are based at Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell.

The first stage saw a pipeline connected to the region's existing water infrastructure, which provided running water from a tap for the first time in 800 years for the villages of Kpalusogu and Koshibu.

Mr Higgins, who is married to Saby and has two children; Annabelle, 13, and Laura, 12, said: "We are all really looking forward to getting out there and making a real difference.

"The installation of wells will mean better sanitation and hygiene for the villagers which will reduce the number of people who needlessly lose their sight through water related diseases."

Mr Higgins said the regiment was taking out its own geological equipment to help locate the best sites for wells and will carry out surveys in up to 30 other villages to find future sites for boreholes.

Villagers will be encouraged to help with the operation, with chiefs directing who will work on the project and on what days.

Mr Higgins said: "We want local villagers to take pride in the project. After all it will be down to them to ensure the wells are kept in good working condition when we leave.

"It may take a little longer to get the job done, but from past experience, including Afghanistan, we know it pays dividends.

"They are a proud people and need to take ownership of the project."

St Dunstan's, the charity overseeing the project, provides rehabilitation, training and care for blind ex-servicemen.