SOLDIERS from East Lancashire have spoken of their hopes and fears as they prepare to fly out for the latest peacekeeping mission in Iraq.

Troops from The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, which has recruits from Blackburn, Darwen and Burnley, will be based at Basra airfield as the Army prepares to hand over security for the southern city to homegrown forces.

Training exercises, covering search and arrest skills, are being completed in readiness for the 1st Battalion soldiers' deployment in November.

Units have been getting first-hand experience of the Bulldog armoured personnel carriers - which will be vital to their role in Iraq - while on manoeuvres at Sennelager, near their German base in Osnabruck.

Part of the training has also included learning elements of Arabic culture and basic phrases so soldiers can interact with the locals when required.

Kingsman Chris McInerney, 21, of Darwen, said: "Of course I'm pretty scared about going - but confident. And it's good to be scared, it helps to keep you safe."

The former Darwen Moorland High pupil will leave behind wife Janine and father Richard, who also still live in Darwen, when he goes to Iraq.

The Lancashire troops will be joined by colleagues from the Royal Horse Artillery when they move out to Basra, including Gunner Jordan Reynolds, 23, from Burnley.

Jordan, a Worsthorne Primary School old boy, is no stranger to being deployed in Iraq.

He served as part of an Operation Telic tour in 2005 and 2006, patrolling Basra and guarding police stations.

He said: "This time we will have our artillery guns, the AS90, which is our normal role.

"Last time it was good, I had a good experience. I learned a lot and grew up a lot out there."

Jordan's parents, Adrian and Sharon live in the Burnley area.

Before they leave for Iraq, Chris, Jordan and their comrades will be reunited with family and friends in the UK.

In the past week British troops have withdrawn from Basra Palace to the city's airfield, in preparation for handing over security matters to the Provincial Iraqi Control.

Three months ago the regiment's 2nd Battalion returned from a six-month tour, having met fierce resistance from Iraqi insurgents.