A BLACKBURN-born soldier has been soaking up the sun in a life-saving operation in Cyprus.
But it wasn't all fun and games for former pupil of St Mary's College, Nigel Whiteoak, pictured, who was part of a team of Royal Engineers, Navy divers and civilians helping to clear explosives from the island's Akamas peninsular.
Sergeant Whiteoak, 38, joined the 80-strong team as part of Operation Upraise, part of the Ministry of Defence's Plan to keep the land around it's foreign training areas safe.
Along with daily back-breaking digging, Blackburn Rovers fan Nigel's role was to inspect discovered shells and mortars, and to advise on their removal.
Nigel, who has a house in Blackburn, has travelled across the world during his 20 years in the army. He said: "I have really enjoyed being in the Akamas, it's been a nice sunshine tour."
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