TWO months after their arrival in Canterbury the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders are leaving for Iraq.

The 525 soldiers who have been based at Howe Barracks since September learned this week that they are being posted to Basra in southern Iraq.

Their six-month tour will see them join the effort to train Iraq's new Civil Defence corps. Capt Graham Sefton said: "The lads are in high spirits and we are looking forward to go out there and doing our job.

"We have been on 10 days' notice of posting anyway so it was not a surprise to be told we are heading out there."

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon made the announcement on Monday, the day after the world was told Saddam Hussein had finally been captured.

Now squaddies have been allowed two weeks leave from this Friday, allowing them to spend Christmas with their families before flying out during the first week in January.

A small group of soldiers will remain at Howe Barracks during the six months.