A scout who travelled to Madagascar to help people get access to clean water has called his experience “mind-blowing”.

Jack Abrey, a student from Enfield, was one of three British Scouts to travel to the African island with charity WaterAid to help improve sanitation across the country.

Mr Abrey, 19, with fellow Scouts Hannah Kentish and Becky Alexander, will share their experiences with 65,000 Scouts from across the UK, as part of the “A Million Hands” campaign.

Mr Abrey, who is currently studying at Reading University, said: “It was great to see how Scouts are working to transform lives by educating people about good sanitation and hygiene, as well as advocating for more investment in these basic facilities.

“It was mind-blowing to see the changes clean water and good sanitation can bring, these basic resources are vital for a healthy and prosperous life, and I’m so proud that Scouts in the UK have chosen to take action on this important issue.

“Even by taking small actions, together we really can make a difference in poor communities in Madagascar and across the world.”

The trio camped with the Malagasy Scouts, joining sessions on the importance of clean water, good sanitation and hygiene, and helping to build facilities at the camp, such as ‘tippy taps’ – a cheap way to wash hands where there is no tapped water.

The young Brits also helped pass on the lifesaving messages to the wider community through performances and demonstrations at a “Dobodoboka” – a type of festival organised on a busy market day.