A sentry guards the 1st Royal Irish Regiment's UK headquarters in Canterbury

A satellite link between the base and Sierra Leone was set up immediately, to make sure families had access to the latest information, Army spokesman Paul Beard said.

The group of 11 British men, ten of whom are from Northern Ireland, and one Sierra Leone soldier were on a routine trip from their base in the town of Benguema, near the capital Freetown, when they were kidnapped on Friday by a militia group known as the West Side Boys.

The RIR has been based in Canterbury for about a year. Approximately 500 soldiers are stationed there.

It constitutes the largest infantry regiment in the British Army and was formed in Northern Ireland in 1992 when the Royal Irish Rangers and Ulster Defence Regiment merged.

They are some of the best trained guys in the regiment

Fellow soldier

Spokesman Mr Beard said about 200 men from the regiment had been deployed in Sierra Leone.

A soldier with the RIR - who did not want his name to be published - said he was friendly with the men.

"They're really great guys and are well liked by everyone.

"They are some of the best trained guys in the regiment. Anyone can get lost in strange and extreme surroundings," he said.

A barman at the soldiers' local pub opposite the barracks, the Mill House, said the men were "nice lads" who were proud of their regiment.