SOLDIERS and their families from all over the region have taken up a new home in troubled Northern Ireland.

Troops from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment - including squaddies from Preston and South Ribble - along with wives, girlfriends and children, will spend two years in Omagh, County Tyrone.

They will provide support for the Royal Ulster Constabulary on the streets using armoured cars and normal infantry patrolling.

The Battalion's press officer, Major Bruce Spencer, said although the ceasefire meant no immediate danger they would still have to be careful at all times.

He said: "The camp where 140 families will be based has a wire fence. But there will be restrictions where they can go.

"They'll have to make sure they don't go to the same pub at the same time every night."

But Major Spencer said that problems with local people were likely to be minimal: "They have a very good relationship. I've been out there before and everyone is very friendly."

And he said every soldier was keen to do a good job for the people of Northern Ireland.

Major Spencer added: "They did have the chance to say no but none said they didn't want to go. The moral in the battalion is very good."

The troops trained for two months before going to Omagh in late August. They had extra shooting practice and learned extra skills for driving larger vehicles.

Their latest tour of duty comes after a hectic four years which has seen them go to Canada, Australia, Belize, France and most recently Bosnia.

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