A SOLDIER from Burnley has swapped the cold hills of East Lancashire for the sweltering heat of South East Asia to help protect one of the world's richest men.

Steve Wooller, a Staff Sergeant with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, is based at British HQ Brunei.

The 35-year-old artificer is responsible for ensuring vehicles and equipment are in perfect order. He is part of the garrison responsible for protecting the Sultan of Brunei and his family.

The garrison is home to the Royal Gurkha Rifles, the Jungle Warfare Wing and Seven Flight ,and Steve has been based on the island for nearly two years.

He said: "We really enjoyed the first 12 months because it was different. The climate is difficult to cope with, but you get used to it. The best thing is the travel opportunities. The way of life is completely different to the UK and you have to adapt. Once you do it's great,"

Steve has also served in Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Canada, Oman and Italy, since joining up in 1987.