SOLDIER Lance Corporal Steven Smith has fallen in love while on a six-month tour of duty as part of the International Kosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR).

But it wasn't a local girl who captured his heart - it was a Kosovar dog which he rescued while serving with 7 Signal Regiment, Royal Signals, at Pristina airport.

Steven, 23, of Blackburn, was so taken with the dog, which he named Oscar, that he was determined to keep him.

Oscar became the mascot of the small detachment of soldiers responsible for ensuring secure communications between Pristina airport and British troops.

Steven, a communications expert, said: "He was a morale dog and we all played with him and took him for walks."

After deciding it would be too expensive to bring Oscar back himself, Steven wrote to companies to ask for help.

He got a positive response, as the World Society for the Protection of Animals and Dogs Today Magazine agreed to help. Brian Faulkner from WSPA will collect Oscar and both organisations will help with the quarantine costs.

After Oscar's stint in quarantine he will start his new life in this country with Steven and his girlfriend Joanne.

Steven is based at the Bulford barracks in Wiltshire, serving with 3 Division and Signal Regiment.

He has been in the army since 1992, and has served in South Africa, the Falklands, Bosnia, Cyprus, Oman, Qatar, Germany and France.

Steven was a pupil at Queen's Park High School in Blackburn, and his father, Edward still lives in the town.

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