THE war in Iraq might be now officially over but there are still many British soldiers patrolling cities captured by the coalition during the conflict.

Radcliffe lads Corporal Ady Allen and Lance Corporal Kevin Skews, of 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Y Company, are two examples.

Based in the centre of Basra, Iraq's second largest city, the soldiers are now greeted by locals with smiles, waves and the international sign of approval - the thumbs up.

Kevin, 22, has been with the battalion for five years and in that time has progressed to become second in command of a Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicle.

The former pupil of Derby High School had a brush with Saddam's men, as well as being involved in some of the conflict's fiercest engagements with Iraqi forces around the city of Basra.

He said: "I took part in a raid on a house in Basra, where a Ba'ath Party meeting was taking place. We took two prisoners who said they had nothing to do with Saddam, but when we searched the house we found many Iraqi uniforms and medals."

Kevin's dad, Mike, also from Radcliffe, has been keeping in contact with his son throughout the conflict by email and telephone.

Although they are used to long distance communication as Kevin has been stationed in Germany for the past two years.

Mike said: "He's doing fine, they are due to come back some time in the next few months, but they are never exactly sure when, until the date arrives."

Ady Allen, 33, is commander of a Warrior vehicle, and he has had a busy time over the last few weeks.

He said: "One night we were ambushed by quite a few Iraqi rocket-propelled grenade teams. Needless to say they were dealt with accordingly!

"I also took part in a raid on Ba'ath Party headquarters. We took about 40 prisoners that time, which was a great success for us."

Pic 1: Corporal Ady Allen

Pic 2: Lance Corporal Kevin Skews on patrol in Basra.

THE war in Iraq might be now officially over but there are still many British soldiers patrolling cities captured by the coalition during the conflict.

Radcliffe lads Corporal Ady Allen and Lance Corporal Kevin Skews, of 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Y Company, are two examples.

Based in the centre of Basra, Iraq's second largest city, the soldiers are now greeted by locals with smiles, waves and the international sign of approval - the thumbs up.

Kevin, 22, has been with the battalion for five years and in that time has progressed to become second in command of a Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicle.

The former pupil of Derby High School had a brush with Saddam's men, as well as being involved in some of the conflict's fiercest engagements with Iraqi forces around the city of Basra.

He said: "I took part in a raid on a house in Basra, where a Ba'ath Party meeting was taking place. We took two prisoners who said they had nothing to do with Saddam, but when we searched the house we found many Iraqi uniforms and medals."

Kevin's dad, Mike, also from Radcliffe, has been keeping in contact with his son throughout the conflict by email and telephone.

Although they are used to long distance communication as Kevin has been stationed in Germany for the past two years.

Mike said: "He's doing fine, they are due to come back some time in the next few months, but they are never exactly sure when, until the date arrives."

Ady Allen, 33, is commander of a Warrior vehicle, and he has had a busy time over the last few weeks.

He said: "One night we were ambushed by quite a few Iraqi rocket-propelled grenade teams. Needless to say they were dealt with accordingly!

"I also took part in a raid on Ba'ath Party headquarters. We took about 40 prisoners that time, which was a great success for us."