AN EAST Lancashire soldier has been given ‘one of the worst jobs’ in Afghanistan.

Kingsman Lee Southworth, from the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, has been assigned to find the infamous IEDs (improvised explosive devices) while on patrol in the Helmand province in Afghanistan.

The 30-year-old from Great Harwood is officially known as a vallon man and is responsible for searching for the home-made bombs which have killed a number of soldiers or left them with life changing injuries.

Using a special vallon detector, Kgn Southworth takes the lead on foot patrols and only when he has given the all-clear can a patrol move forward.

Kgn Southworth, who is married to Rebecca, 29, and has a two-year-old son Charlie Jack, said he would not be able to cope if he did not spot an improvised explosive device.

He said: “I feel quite responsible. I haven't found one yet but I couldn't cope if I missed one. You are looking for metal content in the devices.

“I don’t think about the danger. You can’t think about it.

“If we come under fire we only take proven roads, walk back the way we came.

"It takes a long time but you know that route is clear.”

IEDs have become one of the Talibans main weapons against the forces trying to bring democracy to the country and have a devastating effect.

Sergeant Nige Rowe, from the 21 Engineering Regiment, said: “It is one of the worst jobs you can do. But without them the guys can’t move.

“You don't move until the all-clear has been given by the vallon man.

"If you do move, you might be able to do it once but you won’t get away with it again.

“We have not had anyone who has refused to do it.

“Sometimes IEDs do get missed but it is no one's fault.

"It's something that happens and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

* Click on the link below for more stories by Nafeesa Shan in Afghanistan.