A sea captain from Sussex has described the honour of leading the start of the humanitarian aid programme in Iraq.

Captain Roger Robinson-Brown, from Hove, was last night preparing to dock the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Sir Galahad at the port of Umm Qasr.

The vessel is carrying 200 tonnes of food and medical supplies for the Iraqi people but its arrival has been hampered by mines at the port entrance.

Capt Robinson-Brown said the ship could only dock if the approach was clear and added: "It is vitally important that the channel into Umm Qasr is cleared properly.

"The mine clearance team attach explosives to any suspicious metal objects in the water and detonate the charge. Last night there were two bigger bangs than they expected."

The delay was also frustrating for British troops involved in the aid effort, such as the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, which has been preparing Umm Qasr for the shipment.

Capt Robinson-Brown said: "We are looking forward to undertaking this task. It is a very short drive from Umm Qasr to Basra.

"It will enable the World Food Programme and other people to get on with the business of feeding Iraq. I think it is a very great honour to be able to do this."