soldiers from a Territorial Army unit based in Worcester have returned home for the summer after serving their country in Iraq.

The 18 troops from B Company, The West Midlands Regiment, based at Dancox House, Silver Street, were part of a force numbering around 120 from the regiment that served in Basra for six months.

Among the soldiers was Pte Tom Spaughton, who was on his first operational tour.

Last month, the Worcester News reported that the 20-year-old former pupil of Worcester Grammar School had been awarded a General Officer Commanding's Commendation. On two occasions during the tour he was at the scene of an accident where his rapid thinking and actions helped to save lives and calm difficult situations.

Tom said: "The tour was good and I enjoyed it.

"We had a good training package before we went out to prepare us."

He said he was happy to be home and see green fields and hills instead of sand.

He added: "I'll now relax for a couple of months and go away hopefully."

Tom said he might be off to Worcester University in October, where he has a place to study mental health nursing.

Another soldier from B Company, Aaron Browne, aged 27, from Warndon Villages, was one of the platoon commanders in Iraq.

Being a TA lieutenant is a world away from his civilian job as a foreign exchange adviser for a travel agency.

Mr Browne expressed pride in how his troops performed, saying: "They did an excellent and professional job."

He added: "It's nice to be home. I'm going to take a holiday with my girlfriend."

Capt Ben McGuire, an officer in the regular Army, is the current adjutant to the West Midlands Regiment.

He said he was "extremely proud" of the soldiers.

"Their main role was force protection of Basra Air Station to guard the general headquarters for the British area and also to conduct a lot of patrols in and around the area.

"They performed so well that a lot of regular Army tasks were given to them, like escorting convoys and VIPs.

"Their role was extremely important in a very challenging environment.

"It allowed the headquarters to operate correctly knowing that they were well protected and it also allowed the regular Army to concentrate on the tasks they had in Basra."