He may have retired from office 30 years ago, but former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has proved he still wants to make a difference to the world - and is willing to get his hands dirty doing it.

The 87-year-old put volunteers half his age to shame by chipping in, alongside wife Rosalynn, on a construction project in Haiti.

With his red neckerchief, cowboy jeans and denim shirt, he looked every bit the all-American hero, albeit a tired one, as he cut up wood, transported around supplies and carried out basic DIY as part of the six-day mission.