THE proud mums of two Wyre Forest TA soldiers have spoken of their relief at having their beloved sons back home after six months in Iraq.

Elaine Laga and Sue Simmons were among the party of excited relatives waiting for their sons, Ken Laga and Leigh Bowl, to return to the Kidderminster TA headquarters, The Shrubbery, on Thursday and could not contain their delight.

Greeting their sons with hugs and kisses, the smiling mums said they were relieved to have them home after months of worrying each time they saw a news bulletin featuring riots or bomb attacks on British troops in Basra.

Mrs Simmons, a care assistant from Stourport, said: "It's fantastic to have Leigh home - I'm very proud of him."

She went on: "I was very worried and anxious and frightened when he went but the six months didn't drag on too much because he came back home in February. It was just a shame he had to go back again.

"We spoke to him quite often though. He was given a phone card so he could phone home and he e-mailed my mother-in-law so, some days, we knew what he was doing the next day."

She added: "Now he wants to go into the bomb disposal unit of the Army. It's something he has always wanted to do, so we just have to support him."

Adding her 17-year-old son, Mark, was also considering a career in the Marines, Mrs Simmons added: "Leigh has been in the TA for quite a few years and I suppose it's just a boys' thing. The Army seems to be more exciting than working in a bank or something."

Mrs Laga, who was at the reception with Ken's 23-year-old brother Leon, added: "When I saw those British soldiers on fire about a month ago (TV coverage) I was worried because I knew he was there in Basra but he actually phoned me that night so he must have known I would worry."