The medics put their full time jobs on hold for three months

The medics from 208 field hospital each received a medal to recognise their three-month tour at Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province, last year.

The hospital treated UK military personnel, coalition soldiers and Afghan national security forces.

Most of the medics are from Merseyside, but some are trained in Blackpool, Lancaster and Ellesmere Port.

In civilian life most of the soldiers can be found working in hospitals and GP surgeries across the North West.

They were each given Operation Herrick medals at a service at Altcar Training Camp, near Formby, Merseyside.