TWO soldiers of the locally-recruited Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment have been injured in Iraq.

The men, who have not been named by the Ministry of Defence, suffered minor injuries in fighting in southern Iraq on Saturday night.

MoD spokesman Paul Sykes said: "I have not had it confirmed whether the men are territorial Army soldiers or not.

"They are not life-threatening injuries. They have been treated in Iraq and are staying there to my understanding, although I have not been updated of the medical assessment on the ground - they may be returned to the UK later."

The soldiers, members of a platoon attached to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, suffered gunshot injuries during fighting in the town of Al Almarah.

It is not known who carried out the attacks, which occured as they were travelling north west of Basra with the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps.

Last week the commanding officer of the Highlanders, Lt Col Jonny Gray, was one of two men injured when the vehicles they were travelling in were hit by rocket-propelled grenades.

He was returned to the UK for surgery, suffering from serious injuries.

Mr Sykes said: "The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is taking over from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Light Infantry in southern Iraq. They are coming home."