SOLDIER Carl Hall is braving the harsh winds and rain of the Falkland Islands on the 20th anniversary of the war with Argentina.

Corporal Hall, from Bromsgrove, is serving with 17 Port and Maritime Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corps, and is based at Mare Harbour, the port for the Mount Pleasant military base.

"This is my third tour of duty here so I know the islands quite well," said the 32-year-old father-of-two.

"The land is harsh and there are no trees. They did try planting some but they didn't last - there's too much wind.

"It is an unforgiving land and it must have been hard for the troops 20 years ago, especially as they had inferior kit then."

Soldiers spend an average of six months attached to 460 Port Troop who operate the handling of cargo, containers, Ro Ro ships and Royal Navy vessels.

Carl, known as Albie to his mates, joined the Army in 1988. He has two children, Daniel, aged nine, and five-year-old Carla.