THE commanding officer of Lancashire's army regiment thanked the Prime Minister for boosting the morale of soldiers in Iraq in the run up to Christmas.

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Deakin said Gordon Brown's surprise visit was to Basra airport on Sunday a welcome boost to the troops who are part-way through their six-month tour of duty.

The Prime Minister met soldiers stationed in the airport's Contingency Operating Base.

They included soldiers serving in the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment which has troops from Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Pendle and Burnley.

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Deakin, the commanding officer for the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, and sergeant major Carl Tomkinson spoke to Mr Brown.

Soldiers from the regiment, formally known as the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, were the first group to meet the Prime Minister when he arrived at the army headquarters, where most of the UK troops are now based.

Lieutenant Colonel Deakin said: "It's good to see the head of Government giving up his time to visit the troops just before Christmas.

"It was appreciated and he seemed genuinely concerned about the men and their welfare."

During the visit the Prime Minister announced that Basra will be handed back to Iraqi control within two weeks.

He revealed that he had spoken to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki who approved the handover and also announced that UK soldiers would be reduced down to 2,500 from the spring.

Mr Brown said: "I know many of you will not be home for Christmas but I do appreciate the spirit of service that means you are serving here the national interest at Christmas time.

"Let me wish you a happy Christmas, say you have achieved great things during the course of the year, pay tribute to your professionalism, your courage and your patriotism and wish all of you well in the new year ahead.

"The whole British people are proud of everything you have achieved."