A TROOPER from Kidderminster has seen in the New Year in Kosovo where he is serving on a six-month tour of duty.

Matthew Davies, 22, is working as part of NATO's peacekeeping force where his duties include driving armoured vehicles in support of search operations for illegal weapons and explosives.

Matthew, who has been serving with the Queen's Royal Hussars since October, said: "We spent much of the year preparing for this tour and it's great to be able to get out there and do the job.

"It's very, very cold but we are so busy we don't really notice it much."

He will be in Kosovo until April when he will return to Sennelager, Germany.