AN Evesham soldier has been involved in a shootout in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Ross Haines, aged 25, from the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery based at Colchester, was in charge of 12 men involved in a gun battle in Kabul last Friday.

His mother Mary Haines expressed her concern over her son's welfare in last week's Journal. She said she was shocked when she found out he was going to Afghanistan but was very proud.

In an e-mail to his mother, Mary, who lives in Greenhill Park Road, Ross said: "When we got back to camp every single policeman from the south of Kabul must have been here. They could not believe we had caught the people and their weapons, some of whom we believe to be corrupt police, the others dodgy armed militia."

The battle led to a subsequent search of the area and the arrest of seven men who had been firing at the troops' position.

Mary said: "I got a text message to say he was being interviewed on Sky News and I was really proud. My fears haven't really increased because of what happened. He is doing what he's trained to do."

Lt Haines is in Afghanistan as part of Operation Fingal and is part of the 18-nation International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is helping to patrol the capital and assist the interim government.

Meanwhile, a Vale woman who lost her brother in a road accident earlier this year has spoken of the fears she has for her son who is about to fly out to the country with the Army.

Teresa Aston, aged 48, of Horsebridge Avenue, Badsey, said she is "extremely worried" that her son, Andrew Aston, a lance corporal with the Royal Logistics Corps, will be serving in Kabul, the scene of a recent shooting where a British soldier was killed.

Andrew, an ammunition and uniform specialist with 14 Supply Regiment, is expected to fly out to the war-torn country next week for four to six months. His posting comes just three months after Teresa's brother, John Zolubowicz, died in a road accident.

Mr Zolubowicz, known as "Zube", died after his motorcycle was in collision with a lorry on the A435 by Gotherington Cross on January 8.

Teresa, who is married to David, and has two other children, said of her son: "I told him I don't want any more grief this year, I don't want to lose you as well."

This is not his first posting to a war-torn country. Six years ago he was sent to Bosnia, where he helped to provide the troops with equipment.

Mrs Aston said: "I am extremely worried, when he was in Bosnia the conflict was winding down. I think it's much worse this time.

"I'm just hoping that he gets there and back safely. I will be waiting for that first phone call or that first letter to say that he is fine."