A HUNDRED soldiers from the First Battalion of Duke of Lancaster's Regiment will be returning from Iraq in January - four months early.

And the remaining 500 troops will be back at their German basein April instead of May.

The soldiers, drawn from Lancashire and across the north west, were expected back after a six month tour of duty in the war torn country in May.

But an army spokesman said that improved conditions in Iraq have meant the soldiers will leave early.

The first 100 soldiers to leave their base in Basra are part of the Burma Company which is one of five sub divisions of the First Battalion of Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

The early return follows an announcement by the Prime Minster, Gordon Brown, to reduce the numbers of UK soldiers operating in Iraq, following a visit to Basra last month.

Mr Brown had met soldiers from the First Battalion of Duke of Lancaster's Regiment during his visit.

Soldiers from the regiment were stationed in Iraq in November and began their six-month tour of duty in December.

An army spokesperson said: "Soldiers have been released from their duties early because of conditions on the ground in Iraq.

"This follows an announcement from the Prime Minister who said the numbers of British troops in the country would be reduced to 2,500 by spring this year.

"The Burma Company of the First Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster's regiment, which has 100 soldiers, will be leaving at the end of this month.

"And the remaining soldiers will be returning in April."