A MEMBER of the Government visited soldiers in North Yorkshire this week.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel met members of 32 Engineer Regiment at Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire, as they prepared to deploy in support of the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The 162 troops will join almost 300 others split between Malakal and Bentiu in the north of South Sudan, where they provide engineering and medical support at UN camps.

Priti Patel said: "The brave members of our Armed Forces are a credit to our country and ahead of their deployment to the UN peacekeeping mission to save lives in South Sudan.

"The situation on the ground in South Sudan is catastrophic and a man-made disaster. Conflict and instability has led to grotesque levels of violence and persecution, and Britain is leading the way in providing life-saving and emergency food, water and medicine to those in need. The engineering and medical expertise of our deployed British soldiers will make a real difference, bringing skills that the UN desperately needs to protect innocent people in this terrible conflict."