TWO young soldiers who have been pals since school days are serving as tank crewmen in Macedonia.

Lee Couzins, 21, of Marsh House Lane and Paul Astley, 21, of Sough Road, both Darwen, became friends when they attended the town's Moorland High School.

Soon after leaving school they joined the King's Royal Hussars and ended up in the same billet in Germany. They have both served in Canada and Lee has already had a spell in Bosnia.

Paul left for Macedonia the day before his 21st birthday. His mother, Mrs Jackie Bradley,who works for Crown Berger, Darwen, said: "We are proud of them, but naturally a little worried. It's all part of being a soldier's mum."

Mrs Bradley has two daughters, Lindsay, 16, and Kirsten, 26.

Lee's mother, Mrs Yvonne Brogan, an auxiliary nurse at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, is helping to plan the wedding of her daughter, Jacqueline, 18, in June.

She said: "We were hoping Lee would be here for the wedding, but I don't think there's much chance of that now."

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