Around 550 troops from the 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, known as the 1LANCS, are currently heading out to conflict-torn Basra.

And while troops pulled out of Basra Palace earlier this year, Preston soldiers who have experienced life in Iraq say they are still expecting danger.

Cpl Craig Hamilton, 31, from Ribbleton, said: "There is some apprehension.

"The lads have seen it in the papers with people getting killed in Helmand and in Iraq too.

"They know it is still dangerous out there and it has not dropped off."

Cpl Hamilton, who is married to Kirsty, 31, has been with the Army for 16 years and has served tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Iraq in 2003.

He added: "Kirsty is pretty worried.

"She was crying when she dropped me at the airport but she's used to me going away now."

Kingsman Peter Judson, 23, from Fulwood, was also in Iraq in 2003.

He said: "At this moment in time I'm actually looking forward to it.

"What will be different this time is the indirect fire attack.

"The threat there is a lot higher now."

The 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment's returned from Basra after a six-month tour of duty in June having experiencing fierce resistance from Iraqi insurgents.

They lost eight men on the tour.