Braintree soldier Scott Adams, a Royal Engineer Sapper, has played a vital part in the mission to set up a refugee camp in Macedonia and distribute essential aid to the homeless.

With other soldiers Scott, 20, worked round the clock to help build a tented city for 30,000 displaced people within just two days.

An Army spokesman said: "The soldiers have been pushing themselves to the limits of exhaustion as they build, organise and run the Brazda refugee camp.

"The soldiers inspired the people by treating them in a well-mannered and dignified way."

He added that the soldiers had even given their food to the refugees as they arrived.

Scott said: "The area where we started was just an old airfield and we started erecting tents. I will always remember sleeping out in the open.

"Having a baby myself, I love playing with kids, but these children affected me, living in such poor conditions."

Scott serves with 35 Engineer regiment and has now moved back to his regular trade of combat engineer with a specialist skill of building bridges over rivers.

A former pupil of Alec Hunter School, he joined the Army three years ago. His wife Sarah and baby daughter Kaylee live in Braintree as does his mum, Janice.

RE Sapper Scott Adams at work.

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