SOLDIER Stuart Meeks will use any excuse to have a laugh but there was a serious note to the latest adventure he volunteered for - an army open day in Bosnia. The 20-year-old craftsman, from Great Harwood, was one of the first to sign up for the event, which gives troops a chance to meet the local communities to exchange information and enjoy a few light-hearted games.

Stuart, a former St Christophers High School pupil, entertained the locals with a game of rugby.

He said: "It has been great fun trying to teach the guys here in Sipovo how to play rugby.

"They found it quite hard to pick up, football's their game really, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.

"The open days are a chance to show everyone that we are friendly and that we are here to help. We all have a lot of fun together and there is no language barrier.

"At one open day we had a disco with a live band on the back of a truck and at another we had a gladiator-style game on a slippery pole placed over a water pool."

The area where Stuart, a tank mechanic with the 2nd Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, is based was the scene of some of the worst fighting of the war. When British soldiers moved in just over a year ago, it was a deserted wilderness.

Since than, people have returned in their thousands and are rebuilding their lives.

Stuart added: "It's a beautiful country and I had heard an awful lot about what to expect before I came out. But I think our presence out here is appreciated by the locals."

Stuart will return to Great Harwood this month to see with his father, who is also called Stuart.

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