LOCAL soldiers serving in Cyprus had to tackle rioters this week after being deployed to quell rampaging mobs.

Two members of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR) were taken to hospital following pitched battles which were described by the army as 'violent and abhorrent.'

The names of the soldiers have not yet been released but recruits from Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth and Bolton-le-Sands are currently stationed in Cyprus to protect sensitive military equipment.

One of the soldiers has been released from hospital, while the other is still in hospital. His condition is not thought to be life threatening.

The protesters were demonstrating about the installation of a new radar mast and Citizen photographer Robert Underdown was in Cyprus when the trouble flared.

He said: "The riot started when a local MP, described by troops as the Cypriot Swampy, climbed up a 100ft radar tower to protest at the installation of new antennae.

"After six hours he was coaxed down and taken to a sovereign-based police station.

"When he was released about 300 people outside stormed the police station and the army sent in about 60 troops.

"Several vehicles were set alight and the police station was destroyed.

"The KORBR sent 20 officers to assist and it took 20 minutes to recapture the police station using tear gas and water cannon.

"The protesters then rampaged through the town, smashing windows and overturning cars.

"A number of soldiers were injured during the violence. The protesters are said to be planning another demonstration involving up to 5,000 people so the situation is very tense here at the moment."

The riots followed the arrest of Cypriot MP Marios Matsakis, who is protesting against the erection of new telecommunications masts at the Akrotiri military base.

Following the riot which destroyed the police station around 1,000 people later confronted the authorities outside a police station at the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area.

Army spokesperson, Elizabeth Grey, said: "This is the most violent and abhorrent act of lawlessness we have encountered on the island of Cyprus.

"The majority of the victims were ordinary Cypriots going about their daily lives."