IT was a red-letter day for Bewdley mechanic Jeremy Rogers when he opened The Sun newspaper to find his son featured inside.

Robert Rogers, 23, a member of the Royal Marines, was pictured holding a "large gun" in Oman where he and thousands of other Allied troops are currently taking part in Exercise Sair Sareea II.

Mr Rogers, 50, of New Road, last spoke to his son in September as he was sailing up the Suez Canal to join other troops in the Middle East where they are on red alert for possible action in Afghanistan.

"He was up for it, it's what he's trained to do," said his proud dad. "As a parent you do worry but if you're a young man you think it's a big adventure."

Mr Rogers said Robert's brother, Edward, 21, was also a member of the Royal Marines, and is in Sierra Leone.

Robert, who was educated at Bewdley High School, has served with the 40 Commando Division of the Marines for the last three years.