THE Secretary of State for International Development was in Wilton yesterday to open the new office of a landmine charity.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP opened the new Wiltshire offices of the global humanitarian landmine charity, The HALO Trust, which are in the former Wilton carpet factory building.

The offices are part of a redevelopment of the old industrial site.

The Secretary of State was given a demonstration of mine-clearance techniques and shown the kind of HALO body armour and protective visor used by staff - which were famously worn by Princess Diana and Prince Harry during their visits to HALO Trust minefields.

The Secretary of State declared the office formally open by cutting a ribbon held by two skull-and-crossbones mine warning signs and was shown a commemorative plaque.

The Department for International Development is one of the world’s largest donors to international mine clearance and supports HALO’s work in countries such as Angola, Zimbabwe, Cambodia and Sri Lanka under its Global Mine Action Programme.

The HALO Trust clears landmines and other explosive weapons from 25 countries around the world, including Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Syria.

It was founded in Afghanistan more than 30 years ago and 97 per cent of its global workforce are local men and women who are directly affected by landmines, cluster munitions and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Salisbury Journal:

International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “Landmines and unexploded bombs are weapons of war which indiscriminately kill and maim innocent people around the world every day. No one should have to live at risk of losing a limb, their life or a child to these deadly devices.

“Since 2018, UK aid funding has cleared over 132 million square metres of land – the equivalent of 18,000 football pitches. I’m so proud that we are supporting organisations including The HALO Trust to use British expertise and bravery to save lives and help countries recover after conflict.”

HALO CEO James Cowan said: "The UK Government has done so much for those afflicted by deadly weapons, and we are deeply honoured that the Secretary of State for International Development has opened HALO’s new office here today.

"In the age of the Covid pandemic, it is even more vital that the UK delivers its life-saving aid to those most in need. Today’s global challenges are complex and wide-reaching and HALO is proud to bring British expertise to some of the world’s most troubled regions”.

Wiltshire Councillor Pauline Church, cabinet member for finance, procurement and commercial investment, also attended the opening.

She said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for International Development to Wilton for the opening of the HALO Trust’s new office in the town. The charity does incredible work to protect the lives of those affected by conflict and it’s a pleasure to have them in Wiltshire.”