A TEAM of 25 part-time' soldiers based at Bishop's Hull are off to Afghanistan to support the Regular Army.

The Territorial Army members from B Company Somerset Light Infantry Rifle Volunteers have just completed intensive training in Nottinghamshire and will fly out in September.

They will assist 3 Commando Brigade in peace keeping duties and force protection based at Bastion in Helmand province, the stronghold of the deposed Taliban regime.

The men, who include an office manager, a student and a general labourer, are undergoing further training before starting their six month tour of duty.

Capt Barney' Barnes said: "They're a bit apprehensive at the moment, but they all volunteered and are up for it.

"They'll be away from their families for up to nine months, but there's a good welfare system in place.

"Some of them have already been out to Afghanistan and Iraq and they did a good job both times they were deployed."

The men are among 100 Rifle Volunteers from across the South-West including in the extra 3,000 troops announced for Afghanistan last week.

"It's tough on their families the wives and families of the regulars are all in one place, but TA members' families are spread out across the West Country which is where the welfare system kicks in," said Capt Barnes.

Youngest member heading out to Afghanistan is 18-year-old Christopher Chamberlain, who only recently completed his A levels.

*For more on this story, get your copy of the Somerset County Gazette on Thursday, July 20.