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The security forces did basic mine clearance here when they pushed Isil out, but that is only to military standard, which means clearing key routes. None of the houses or surrounding areas have been cleared. We dont have the manpower to do it quickly enough, and in the meantime, people are getting killed and injured.

The male householder, Jamal Mustapha, seems grateful for the warnings, and promises he will not let his children wander outside again. However, it is not unusual for local MAG workers to have to plead with householders not to enter houses which are known to be booby-trapped.

Many locals try to defuse the mines themselves, with one man recently putting 60 devices on a bonfire outside his home. He put petrol on them and drove away, says Sutton. When they blew up, his entire house was destroyed and 14 neighbours houses damaged too. Its fair to say hes not popular right now.

For most, the message only gets through the hard way. In the village of Wardak, a freshly dug grave in the cemetery holds the mangled remains of Ghazwan Salin, a 14-year-old shepherd boy killed by a landmine last month. His father, Saadla, 52, stifles tears as he describes the huge bang that echoed through the village just after lunchtime.

My son had been dancing with his younger sister here in the lounge, then he went out with the sheep, Saadla says. Wed been back here for four months, and had never had any accidents. Then we heard the explosion, and I ran barefoot in the direction of the sound. The only part of my sons body that wasnt burnt was his head.

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Why these British men are risking their lives to clear Iraq's landmines - Telegraph.co.uk