A NAVY steward today spoke of the remarkable time he spent with dolphins helping to fight the war against Saddam Hussein.

Brian Cross sailed out of Portsmouth nine months ago for a 12-week tour of the Mediterranean but ended up involved in one of the biggest aid operations of the Iraq conflict.

Brian, 27, of Bowen Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, was one of just 40 sailors on board the minesweeper HMS Sandown, which cleared mines to create a route into the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr and led the first aid ship into port.

Former Royal Mail employee Brian, who has also served on HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible in his four-year Navy career, was on board one of 10 minesweepers from Britain and the United States clearing mines from the country's only deep-sea port, using trained dolphins and sonar technology to hunt for explosives.

Brian said: "The Americans were using the real dolphins and I couldn't believe how good they were. I don't know how they were trained but it was amazing.

"We had machines instead, called PAPs, which homed in on mines on the sea bed. We called them dolphins, but I don't know if they were as good as the real thing."

When a narrow lane was finally declared safe for HMS Sir Galahad to deliver its 500-tonne load of food and medical supplies, it was the HMS Sandown which travelled in ahead as the ship emptied its fuel tanks because of the fire risk.

Brian said: "It was very scary work because all of the bigger ships were behind us and we were literally looking for mines around us to clear the routes.

"The frigates and destroyers can stay well out of the way, like the submarines, but we have to get right in there.

"We worked closely with the Americans and the dolphins they had were absolutely amazing to see.

"As a steward I supervise the chefs and look after the officers, but in a war situation everyone has to pull together. It was a long time to spend on a small ship with 40 people but we just had to get on.

"I joined the Navy to see the world, and I've been to a lot of places, but it was hard being away from friends and family for so long and it feels quite odd being back, after all that. I'm looking forward to spending all the leave I haven't had chance to take with my family in Blackburn."

Craig's dad Eddie, 55, also served in the Royal Navy in the far east during the 1960s.

He said: "I'm very proud of my son and I don't feel they have got the recognition they deserve.

"He's pleased to be home.

"But I know how difficult it is to adjust after the confined spaces and everything that's gone on."