British taxpayers are funding a £2.9million compensation project for victims of a wildfire started by UK troops in Kenya.
Soldiers started the blaze while cooking in a field, which ripped through a nature reserve and covered up to 8,000 acres of land.
According to unconfirmed reports, elephants at the Lolldaiga nature reserve may have perished in the fire.
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The Ministry of Defence funded an independent environmental report to assess the impact and restore the environment.
A community fire prevention group was also established to protest animals from any other wildfires.
It has emerged that taxpayers funded the settlement between British and Kenyan lawyers, totalling £2.9million.
The money will be distributed to thousands of Kenyans who suffered health issues and property damage.
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British taxpayers will fund £2.9m compensation to victims of wildfires started by UK troops in Kenya
| REUTERSMore than 1,000 British soldiers were in the country at the time of the fires in March 2021.
Troops came from the 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment.
The Ministry of Defence axed the unit around the same time.
All military exercises were suspended as an emergency operation begun to control and put out the fire.
One solider posted on social media site Snapchat: "Two months in Kenya later and we've only got eight days left.
"Been good, caused a fire, killed an elephant and feel terrible about it. But hey-ho, when in Rome."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are pleased that a global settlement has been agreed with the claimants' appointed legal representatives.
"The Lolldaiga fire was extremely regrettable. The UK recognises the time taken to resolve this matter and the frustration caused within affected communities.
The Ministry of Defence said they are 'pleased that a global settlement has been agreed'
| PA"The UK has devoted considerable time, effort and resources to resolving these claims for the people affected."
It follows news that taxpayers are forking out around £19million, which is being spent on trade union "away days" for teaching staff, according to new analysis of Government data.
Figures published by the Taxpayer's Alliance shows some education staff are spending all of their working hours taking part in activities for their trade union, known as "facility time."
Organisations in the public sector that employ more than 49 staff are legally required to submit data on the use of facility time in their organisation.