FLAGS and banners were flying in Burford last Saturday to welcome home Trooper Ashley Fletcher, aged 21, after a six-month tour of duty in Iraq with the Queen's Royal Hussars.

The former Tenbury High School pupil has been serving with coalition forces in Basra involved with training the Iraq Police Force in readiness for the hand over of security in June.

Safely back in Burford, Ashley is shaking off the desert dust for the green grass of home.

"It's great to be back and a big relief to be home with my family and friends," he said.

"Going to Iraq has meant getting used to a totally different culture and, as recent news reports have shown, in the past few weeks it has got a bit heated and there were some bad moments."

It has been a trying time too for Ashley's parents, Julie and Colin Fletcher.

Julie said: "Our family, friends and neighbours have helped get us get through, especially my colleagues at Kerry Aptunion, who supported me during the worst moments.

"It's absolutely brilliant to have him safely back home; he has done his duty and we are all so very proud of him."

After the celebrations are over, Trooper Fletcher will be spending time relaxing with his girlfriend before returning to his regiment serving with the British Forces in Germany.