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Some of the most striking images on display at December's Copenhagen climate change conference were pictures of China taken by a young British photographer.

Sean Gallagher travelled across the world's most populated country on what is known as the 'desertification train.'

And he documented his journey in photos to show how life is a constant struggle for those living on the edges of China's deserts.

China is fighting a war against creeping sand - year on year its deserts are expanding and joining to create a massive dustbowl.

It is estimated that 20 per cent of China's land area - some 1.74 million square kilometers - is now classified as desert.

One of the main stops on Sean's trip was Hongsibao - an environmental refugee town built from scratch by the Chinese Government to house those forced from their homes by the sandstorms and water shortages.

Lucy Ash spoke to Sean and asked him how these environmental refugees feel about their new home.

Visit to see more of his photography