LANCASHIRE Territorial Army soldiers, set to join the multi-national force out in Afghanistan, were going through their paces this week.

Troops from the Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers were taking part in a series of live firing exercises at Warcop training area in Cumbria.

After a short break they will head down south for their final training, and will then be ready to be deployed in early September.

Among the 39 part-time soldiers who will be helping secure Kabul airport, are four local lads who are part of the unit's detachment which meets regularly at Kimberley Barracks in Deepdale Road, Preston.

Private Jack Owens, 24, from Ashton, will be shipped out along with fellow troops Private Stuart Garnett, 21, of New Longton, Private Paul Thompson, 31, from Tarleton and Corporal 'Gillie' Gill, from Blackpool.

Private Garnett, from New Longton, has ben in the TA for four years and is eager to put his military skills into practise.

Stuart said: "The training has gone well. Although our skills were quite good to start with, we are all really coming together as a unit now.

"We did a company competition at the weekend and it was noted that we were better than the other teams. We look a lot keener."

The troops' training is made up of three stages and so far two have been completed. Next, they have five days off before heading to the South Coast for three days at Lydd where they will be given talks on everything from health and safety and land mines to the local culture and language.

The soldiers will be flown to Afghanistan over a number of days starting on September 1.