Military operations in Iraq have changed the Territorial Army for ever.

The TA -- "Toy Army" as it has been dubbed in some quarters -- has now become a fully-fledged fighting force.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Lodge, commanding officer of The East and West Riding Regiment, said on a visit to Basrah: "We are still weekend warriors in peacetime. But these deployments have changed the TA for ever, and for the better."

More than 80 members of the EWRR are with Normandy Company, based at Allenby Lines at Basrah Airport, on a six month tour of duty. At the moment it is estimated there are around 700 TA servicemen and women in Iraq.

They are part of the Multi-National Division (South-East).

Col Lodge added: "The whole ethos of the TA has changed over the last eighteen months. After a six month tour there is a significant change in the individual. They have done six years worth of TA work in six months. It adds a huge amount to their life skills."

He said that when the men and women got back to their workplaces they were "much better" people. The former major in the Duke's added: "It is a coming of age for them."

Brigadier Chris Deverell, in command of the 4th Armoured Brigade in Basrah, said: "The Territorial Army soldiers are fundamental to the prosecution of this campaign. We could not have done it without them."