A SAILOR from Torfaen is on board a Royal Navy warship deployed to help relief efforts in the Philippines.

Grant Coleman, 21, is on HMS Daring, which is part of a military push to deal with the fallout from typhoon Haiyan - feared to have left 10,000 people dead.

The rescue mission is expected to reach the area in around five days, having been sent “at full speed” from Singapore carrying equipment to make drinking water from seawater, Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday.

Mr Coleman, a former Torfaen Sea Cadet from Cwmbran, is on his first tour with the Navy.

His parents Tim and Jill Coleman said joining the Navy said he was fulfilling a lifelong ambition, having joined the cadets aged 12.

“He enjoys the discipline of it and he loves the water,” said Mr Coleman, a quality technician and retained firefighter.

“He is a Royal Yacht Association qualified instructor and has travelled all over the UK with the cadets.

“He always wanted to join the Navy, even when he was 12. So he bided his time and joined when he was 19.

“Because of his age and the fact he has no marital ties they asked him if he wanted to join HMS Daring. He jumped at it, it was too prestigious an opportunity to turn down.”

The former Croesyceiliog School is a Leading Seaman, and chef on the ship, but he is also part of the fire fighting team, following in his father’s footsteps.

His mother said they were “extremely proud”.

“We only see these things on the news but he will be there and see the devastation with his own eyes,” said Mrs Coleman, a medical receptionist.

Mervyn Rees, of Torfaen Sea Cadets, commended Mr Coleman.

He said: “We are very proud of the service he is providing.

“It’s wonderful to think the UK is doing what it can to help.”