EFFORTS to bring stability and peace to war-torn Iraq were strengthened this week with the deployment of 25 of the borough's young men.

The Territorial Army soldiers, members of the Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers (LCV), left Bury on Thursday heading for the Gulf to lend their support to Army soldiers.

Army spokesman James Gaskin said: "The soldiers will be a part of a larger contingent of 130 LCVs where they will join the Queen's Lancashire Regiment.

"Of course in a situation like this, things change all the time but it is believed the troops will be stationed in Basra to beef up small platoons as part of a larger company.

"They are likely to take part in peace-keeping, such as acting as confidence patrols to bring a sense of security to the region and reassurance to local people, they will also help with the humanitarian effort."

The men will undergo training before leaving for Kuwait and then travelling to Iraq. They are likely to be away from home for the next six months.

Mr Gaskin said: "These soldiers are everyday people who have given up their time and the majority of their employers have been very supportive and given them leave."