A NORTH-EAST soldier is helping Kashmiris build a future in their earthquake-devastated province.

Lance Corporal Ken Wood, from Middlesbrough, is helping to construct buildings to be used as clinics and classrooms in the Pakistan province of Kashmir.

The 29-year-old is serving with 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, building the shelters in isolated mountain villages as the harsh winter sets in.

He is using his Commando training as he and fellow engineers spend four nights at a time in freezing temperatures at a height of 7,500ft, building the shelters.

The region was devastated by a huge earthquake, which struck in October. Thousands were killed and many more were left homeless.

The men and materials have to be transported up narrow mountain tracks on multi-terrain vehicles usually used in Arctic Norway. Some villages are so inaccessible that the engineers have to travel by helicopter or on foot.

L Cpl Wood said: "Some of the villages have been hit hard by the earthquake, but local people have worked hard to salvage what they can from their houses and begin building their own shelters.

"Our job is to provide community shelters for clinics and schools before the winter arrives. With Christmas nearly here, we are all thinking of our families, but when you see the hardship of the locals, it makes you proud of the work we are doing."