A FATHER today talked about his fears as both his sons serve in the Gulf and said: "I just hope they come back safe."

Thomas Elhasham, of Devonshire Street, Accrington, has joined some of the youngest troops to be sent to the area after successfully completing eight weeks training with the York Royal Logistics Corps.

It is the 18-year-old medic's first post abroad and he is with some 30,000 troops poised for the possible war with Iraq.

The former Moorhead High School pupil has joined his brother Jason, 22, who is serving as a paratrooper on the frontline with the First Battalion Parachute Regiment, 20 miles south of Iraq.

Proud dad Sulimen Elhasham said of the brothers in arms: "I am very worried for the both of them and I am just praying that they come back safely.

"Thomas is so young to be sent all that way but as soon as they turn 18 they are treated as adults and can go anywhere."

The teenager, who signed up to the army for four years, has already written to his father describing the weather and conditions of camp life in Iraq.

He said it was very cold at night but "unbearably hot" during the day, and he misses having a proper gym to train in.

Army spokesman James Gaskin said: "With the increasing number of operations being deployed in Iraq, it is becoming more common for the younger recruits to be assigned on an operation like this."

Before taking up a career with the army at 17, Thomas was considering working at a local cement works.

Sulimen, who last saw his sons at Christmas, added: "This is what they have been trained to do after all and it is a great job. It is a better career than anything round here.

" I hope they come back safe and sound."

Jason has told his father that he expects to be away for another five months. Sulimen has suspended a trip to his home land of North Africa because of the fear over his sons' safety.

He plans to take his family away on holiday when they return.