THE son of a bomb disposal expert who was bludgeoned to death has said he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps by clearing landmines.

Mark Manning, of Lancing, who worked for Princess Diana’s charity the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) was killed by one of his friends Colin Gale, who then hid his body and lied for years.

Three years after his father’s death, son Kane said he has been inspired to follow the same path.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus, Kane said learning Prince Harry would be taking over the fight for a cause close to his mother’s heart had spurred him into deciding he also wanted to fulfil his father’s legacy.

Kane, 19, of Portslade, said: “I have been speaking to some of the guys my dad worked with.

“They have great memories of him. I would love to take over.

“It’s a difficult career and you have to do a training course, but it is something I really want to do.

“It will be a difficult journey but worth it.

“I just want to be like my father and save people’s lives around the world.

“One morning I woke up and saw a picture of my dad working and it struck me.

“He was always so passionate, he loved his job and it got me motivated to want the same.”

Colin Gale killed his friend in a row over a debt.

Claiming Mr Manning attacked him first, he said he then he picked up a metre-long wrench in “self defence” and had to “finish him off” by hitting him “full in the face” two or three times.

Gale, of Offington Lane, Worthing, then tried to misdirect the police investigation by telling a web of lies.

He even told Mr Manning’s family he had driven him to Worthing railway station.

But in May last year, Mr Manning’s remains were found in thick undergrowth on Hampshire Hill near Slaugham, two years after he disappeared.

Kane added: “It was the anniversary of my father’s death on April 19.

“It’s been three years since he’s gone and it’s still very sad.”

Last month Prince Harry pledged to fulfil his mother’s wish of seeing a landmine free world.

Praising the work of MAG bomb disposal experts such as Mr Manning, the prince said: “Twenty years ago, in the last months of her life, my mother campaigned to draw attention to the horrific and indiscriminate impact of landmines.

“Please help me keep her word to people throughout the world, who still need us to finish the job and rid the planet of landmines.

“Collectively we have the knowledge, skill and resources to achieve it, so let’s make future generations proud.”