The Halo Trust is set to clear a further 15 million square metres of land

A mine clearance charity is set to make huge amounts of land safe thanks to a funding boost.

The Halo Trust is set to benefit from a share of the £8.1 million extension to the Global Mine Action Programme.

The funding will allow 15 million square metres of land to be made safe in five different countries.

International development secretary Priti Patel and secretary of state for Scotland David Mundell visited the charity, based in Thornhill near Dumfries, on Monday to praise the organisation for taking the lead in clearing some of the world’s most dangerous areas.

“This is a great example of how the UK’s aid commitment to help those most in need around the world also works here at home in our national interest,” said Mundell.

“Scotland is at the heart of the UK’s international aid efforts – with hundreds of staff working in East Kilbride as well as contracts going to many Scottish companies.”

Since 1988, the Halo Trust has destroyed over 1.6 million landmines and nearly 12 million unexploded ordnance devices. Last year alone, they destroyed 395,000 devices and educated 330,000 people on the dangers of mines.

Chief executive James Cowan said: “Halo is tremendously proud of the work we do to save lives in some of the world’s most fragile states, but we are also proud of the substantial investment we have made in local firms and businesses who supply us with their highly specialised equipment.”