Troops from Robertson Barracks will guard oil pipelines

Troops from the Light Dragoons at Swanton Morley are to patrol the town of Al Amarah between Basra and Baghdad.

Their job is to help get the area back on a stable footing by preventing looting and building the confidence of local people.

They will also guard oil pipelines close to the Iranian border and help local people to repair the damage caused by the war.

The soldiers will have a month to get used to the heat of Iraq as they take up full duties on 4 July.

The Light Dragoons' tour of duty is scheduled to last four months.