The Premier and Governor pledged last night to send Regiment troops to Turks and Caicos to help clean up after Hurricane Ike.

Hundreds of properties on the British Overseas Territory in the West Indies lost their roofs as the hurricane made a near-direct hit over the weekend, with 80 per cent of homes on Grand Turk and South Caicos damaged.

Premier Ewart Brown said yesterday: "We are ready to lend a hand to our neighbours."

Governor Sir Richard Gozney told The Royal Gazette that Bermuda was on standby to help "the poor people of a sister territory in putting their lives back together".

A recce team of four from the Bermuda Regiment, led by second-in-command Major Brian Gonsalves, will set out for Providenciales this morning, travelling via the US.

The team — which includes Major George Jones, newly-appointed Quartermaster Captain Graham Benjamin and Colour Sergeant Jason Harrell — will liaise with Turks and Caicos' equivalent of the Emergency Measures Organisation, Government House and Government officials to determine likely tasks along with the extent of manpower and resources needed.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel William White said last night that a decision on the deployment of further troops would follow by the end of the week.

"We anticipate that a main body may deploy this Sunday," he said. "Service will be on a volunteer basis and I thank families and employers for their support in advance of this."

Soldiers are being asked to volunteer for the operation, which they have been told could last between two and three weeks and would likely see them involved in tasks such as shoring up buildings and clearing routes.

Meanwhile, Belco has been asked by the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) if it can send crews to reconnect power lines on Turks and Caicos. Belco spokeswoman Linda Smith said the request was being considered with a decision likely today.

Sir Richard said: "The Premier of Turks and Caicos has made a request to the Bermuda Premier for help from the Bermuda Regiment. This will probably be reflected in a formal request from the Governor of Turks and Caicos very soon.

"We are waiting for a more detailed assessment from Turks and Caicos of how the Regiment might help."

He added: "All involved here, that is Government House, the Government of Bermuda and the Bermuda Regiment expect that there will be a useful role for the Bermuda Regiment in helping the poor people of a sister territory in putting their lives back together."

Dr. Brown said he and Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick, a personal friend, had been in daily contact since last Thursday as Ike approached the low-lying tropical islands.

"We spoke again this morning and I was saddened to hear his description of the damage to the capital Grand Turk and South Caicos in particular," said Dr. Brown.

"I have asked the Home Affairs Minister to take the necessary steps to respond to Premier Misick's request for assistance from the Bermuda Regiment."

Acting Home Affairs Minister Kim Wilson said: "We as Bermudians know all too well the devastating effects that can result from a hurricane.

"We have watched intently to see how our close friends to the south would fare during Hurricane Ike. Once word came to provide assistance to the people of Turks and Caicos, we were quick to respond.

"Our fine men and women in the Bermuda Regiment are mobilising their resources to provide whatever assistance necessary to aid the people of Turks and Caicos in their recovery efforts."

In 2004, 50 volunteers from the Regiment helped the Cayman Islands for a month following Hurricane Ivan. The following year, the Regiment deployed more than 150 soldiers to aid recovery and rebuilding efforts in Grenada.

Belco has also sent crews to assist with numerous clean up operations, including in Jamaica, Montserrat, the Bahamas and Cayman.

• Bermuda Red Cross has extended its appeal for victims of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna to include Hurricane Ike. Donations can be made to the following accounts: Bank of Bermuda: 010-187417-012 and Bank of N.T. Butterfield: 20-006-060-401365-200. People can also telephone the Red Cross at 236-8253 with their debit/credit card number or post a donation to Bermuda Red Cross, Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike Appeal, Charleswood, 9 Berry Hill Road, Paget, DV 03.