A HAMPSHIRE man will fly out to Africa to volunteer onboard the world’s largest floating hospital on Monday.

Alden Plows will be flying more than 3,000 miles to Benin to a ship - the Africa Mercy - which houses three operating theatres and a 40-bed ward.

The 22-year-old third officer will be spending three months on board the hospital, operated by Mercy Ships, along with 450 other crew members tasked with providing free health care to the people of Benin.

After completing a rigorous application process, Alden, from Locksheath, was told he could join the mission which aims to help one of the world’s poorest nations which has a population of 10 million.

Alden will have the responsibility of maintaining the ship's emergency life-saving appliances and safety equipment, training others how to use it as well as assisting the chief officer in the supervision of deck work.

Alden said: "Knowing that I'm a part of a community that is doing life-changing work for thousands of people makes me feel like I'm doing my part."