A FORMER serviceman working in hurricane-ravaged Tortola has described the Caribbean Island as ‘like a war zone’.

Bradley Morris, 35, is part of a team of 53 ex-military personnel tackling storm damage across a series of West Indian islands as part of Team Rubicon.

The Northern Ireland veteran and father-of-five is on the largest of the British Virgin Islands, which have been devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria and associated storm surges from the sea

Mr Morris, who spent three years in the Royal Logistics Corps 1999 to 2002, said: “I’m here in Tortola and we go out in strike teams.

“The island is a complete mess.

“ t’s like a war zone

“Currently I’m working with my strike team on a school where all the fence line has been destroyed, classroom roofs have been been ripped down and there’s also flooding.

“There’s quite a lot of work that’s been done here and is still on going so that the children can start school again next Monday.

“Other teams have been working at a care home where residents are cramped into rooms due to flooding and roof being ripped off.”

Mr Morris, from Berkeley Crescent Padiham, said the expedition was helping him refocus his life.

He said: "I feel proud to be a part of this. It gives me a sense of purpose and belonging

“I served three years in the army and all I have ever wanted is to be back in there.

“Due to medical reasons (anxiety) I’m unable to join again so to have Team Rubicon in my life helps me to be motivated and have purpose in my life.

“I’ve been talking to the locals and some seem to be in good spirits but they have nothing and it’s hard to imagine how there will build their lives again.

“We are sleeping at the school and residents that have lost their roofs are also sleeping here of a night time. It really is sad to see people like this.

“We are here to make a difference even if it’s in the smallest way and just to give them some kind of hope."

“The weather also takes it out of each and everyone of us the humidity is to much and makes working conditions much harder.

“ I have just learnt we will be going to another school on the island and also there is aid coming in which I believe we will be distributing to the locals”

The Team Rubicon volunteers are providing essential support to local authorities by helping to organise disparate relief efforts, coordinate local volunteers and arrange for aid supplies to be moved from Antigua and Barbados to the other islands.

From fixing power supplies to unloading boxes of food and baby milk from boats to clearing fallen trees and electricity poles from roads, the volunteers are providing essential relief services across these islands.