A YOUNG army medic is working to bring relief to Aids victims in Kenya.

Private Craig Johnstone, 25, a former Wey Valley school pupil, whose mother lives in Weymouth, is based at Nanyuki Camp in Northern Kenya with the 1 Close Support Medical Regiment.

The regiment, normally based in Munster, Germany, is working to bring much-needed health and dental care, health education and veterinary support to villages and tribespeople.

Craig said: "It is so hard seeing small children who have been born with HIV and you know have months to live, once they catch the full-blown Aids."

Although it is almost winter in Kenya, Craig has been working in temperatures as high as 40 degrees C and needs to drink at least eight litres of water a day to avoid dehydration.

In addition to his medical duties, he has also been helping the vet and has enjoyed seeing lions and elephants in their natural habitat.

One of the most touching elements of his work is the enthusiastic reception by the locals. Children mob them wherever they go and village chiefs often present them with goats and chickens as gifts after they have set up a medical clinic.

Craig said: "The Kenyans seem so grateful for the treatment we are giving them. Some have walked literally days to get to the rural clinics."