A TERRITORIAL Army officer who was made redundant from his civilian job has turned the situation around by offering his services to the army in Kosovo.

Major John Kiely, of the Adjutant General's Corp, is attached to the Pristina-based 5th General Service Medical Regiment as part of the British contribution to the NATO-led Peace Implementation Force in Kosovo (KFOR).

The 53-year-old decided to volunteer for Kosovo duty after being made redundant from his job as a qualified accountant.

After serving in the regular army for 22 years, he knew exactly what to expect from returning to military life.

He said: "I was looking for employment and, after many years in the regular army, I wanted to give something back and this fitted the bill perfectly on both counts."

Since being posted in Kosovo, John has been given many vital responsibilities to help the army headquarters run like clockwork.

He added: "My job involves being in charge of all the money, and of the administration of all the soldiers and the officers out here with us.

"I also look after the bar stock -- any money at all that comes in here, I have to account for it."

Married dad-of-one John, whose six-month tour of duty will finish in August, said: "There are no banking facilities in Kosovo, so everything is done by cash, which means we have to keep a tight rein on everything."