MINE clearance specialist Mike Wilson is preparing to enter Iraq on a post-war humanitarian crusade.

Mr Wilson, 44, from Wootton Bassett, is heading up a team of experts for the Swindon-office of the Canadian International Demining Corps charity.

Their aim is to prevent a humanitarian disaster after any conflict.

Mr Wilson, who is married with two young children, was a bomb disposal expert in the Army for 16 years,.

He had flown to Kuwait where he is liaising with British troops and other aid agencies at the Humanitarian Operations Centre to form a post-conflict mine clearance strategy.

Many like Mr Wilson believe a humanitarian crisis looms with large swathes of Iraq particularly Basra and Baghdad littered with landmines and unexploded cluster bombs.

Such dangers, were brought to the world's attention by CIDC supporter Diana, Princess of Wales.

The bombs are the main threat to Iraqi civilians who will be searching for water and food.

Mr Wilson, the CIDC's executive director, said: "Our first task will be extensive intelligence gathering. People are going to need to be fed and watered so we will have to establish that the areas where this happens are safe ."