Prince Harry follows Diana's example on minefield mission

The Prince spent two days in the east African country with the HALO Trust, the world's largest de-mining agency.

Princess Diana spoke out vociferously against the sale and use of landmines, and famously called for an international ban on the devices during a trip to Angola in 1997 after spending time with landmine victims.

Tracts of Mozambique are still strewn with the lethal explosives following years of civil war.

Harry met villagers and amputees including a boy who lost his leg herding cattle.

He was given a close-up demonstration of the de-mining process as he watched a team performing mine clearance work.

The Prince was also given training on HALO equipment and clearance techniques.

His visit took place in villages around the Cahora Bassa dam in Tete province, where 10 villages straddle 17km of unfenced mine belts, placing hundreds of families within metres of more than 30,000 mines.

The bombs were laid more than 30 years ago but continue to maim and kill people in the area. The devices also have an agricultural impact as they prevent the farming of crops and the grazing of livestock.

HALO chief executive Guy Willoughby said: "HALO is delighted that Prince Harry has come out to support us in this quest to clear Mozambique of mines – a task we could complete in the next four years.

"By being with us in the field, and even personally destroying mines, he has learned something of the dirty, boring, dangerous work that HALO's 7,700 staff undertake, day-in day-out, in the world's most mine-impacted countries.

"His mother was brilliant at getting the profile of the risk of mines globally recognised. Prince Harry clearly wishes to follow her magnificent example, and is supporting the HALO Trust in its mission."