A TERRITORIAL Army soldier from Burnley is preparing himself for a six-month tour of duty in Kosovo.

Corporal Paul Clayton, who serves with 93 Signal Squadron (Volunteers), will be providing communications expertise for the NATO mission.

This is his third operational tour, having already served in Bosnia in 2004 and in Iraq in 2005 When Cpl Clayton deploys to Kosovo he will be part of a team called 697 Troop, a group of seven TA soldiers – all Royal Signals experts – charged with ensuring the communications links between NATO forces are maintained.

Cpl Clayton, who lives in the Ightenhill area of Burnley, said: “My role will be to keep the different satellite links up and running between the different bases in Kosovo.”

Alongside his professional duties, serving with the TA, Cpl Clayton, 37, is also an accomplished musician, a graduate at the Leeds College of Music.

He said: “I play the Last Post and Reveille at our regiments Reme-mbrance Sunday event every year and I have also played at the D-Day services.

“It is just something that is part of my life.”

Cpl Clayton joined the TA 10 years ago because he has always been interested in a military career.

The former pupil of Park Hill School, Colne and later St Wilfrid’s High School in Blackburn said: “I enjoy it because of all the things you get to do.

“It keeps you physically fit and you travel all over the country and the world.

“It was a great experience for me but at times it was scary.”

The deployment comes during a milestone year for the TA which is celebrating its 100th year in 2008. For more information about TA100 visit www.ta100.co.uk The 93 Signal Squadrons (Volunteers) is recruiting now.

Anyone wanting to know more about the commitment involved should contact 01254 262 444.