LANCASHIRE soldiers have scored a major victory in Iraq after seizing a cache of weapons belonging to Iraqi insurgents.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, which recruits across Lancashire, seized small arms, rockets and mortars, rocket-propelled grenade warheads and launchers, and rocket launch rails.

The find in Basra was said to be a major victory in the coalition forces' battle against insurgents.

Some 120 Solders from the former Queen's Lancashire Regiment teamed up with The Rifles battalion for the first time during the raid in early on Wednesday.

Patrols swooped on a house in the Qudimah district of the southern Iraqi city, where rogue militiamen were stationed.

Inside the makeshift base was the cache of weapons.

The militiamen targeted were suspected of being involved in a series of attacks on coalition forces in Basra.

Intelligence from Iraqi security sources was used in the run-up to the assault, codenamed Operation Detroit.

Earlier this week soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster's regiment were involved in an attack on suspected roadside bombers, where eight suspected insurgents were killed.

Capt Gary Hedges said: "This successful operation is testament to the professionalism of the two regiments and shows how well they work in parallel with the Iraqi forces to provide security in Basra."