ONE local soldier thought joining the Territorial Army would be a bit of fun after more than two decades with the regulars.

But Sergeant Stewart Fegan, who spent 22 years as a medic, didn't bargain on being called up ready for a possible war in the Gulf less than six months after retiring.

Now he is leaving his wife Juliet and two children, Natalie, 16, and Matthew, three, at home in Bamber Bridge, and picking up his stretcher again with the TA's 5 General Support Medical Regiment, based in Chorley.

He said: "I retired because after 22 years that's it, your contract has expired. I joined the TA, then I got the call-up and they said, 'right, come and join us!'

"I was half expecting it but it's still a bit of a shock when it's there in black and white."

Sgt Fegan, of Poplar Avenue, is part of a team of 12 soldiers from the unit to be called up.

The 42-year-old has now passed his medical checks at the 'sausage factory' -- the troops' nickname for the checking centre -- and expects to go to the Gulf for the second time in his career.

He has also served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. It is thought his unit will be helping to patch up soldiers injured in battle ready for their treatment in surgery.

He said: "I think I will be with the medical regiment from Fulwood Barracks. It will be nice because I will know all the lads after serving with them before.

"They're all having a good laugh at my expense at the moment, they thought they had seen the last of me.

"It was hard this time. I had just got home and I was spending some time with my kids. The youngest one is just three."

A church in Bamber Bridge is opening its doors for people to pray for peace.

Bamber Bridge Methodist Church, Station Road, is open from 12pm to 3.30pm on a Thursday.