Bradford soldiers Lee Garbutt and Aaron Cost have got fish and chips and curry in their sights when they return home from a tour of duty in Iraq.

Lance Corporal Cost and Corporal Garbutt, both from Shipley, are more than halfway through their spell, keeping the peace in the city of Basra.

The pair, who serve with the West Yorkshire-based Duke of Wellington regiment, have carried out a range of duties including patrolling the streets, circling the city in helicopters and carrying out security tasks as part of a policing operation in the area.

Cpl Garbutt, 32, who has a wife and two daughters in Germany and family still living in the Bradford area, said the soldiers had not encountered any problems during the tour. And he said the force had managed to win the confidence of most of the Iraqi people.

He said: "There have been a few significant moments but we have had a lot of experience and we have a good rapport with the people, who are pleased to see us."

Cpl Garbutt has been with the regiment for 14 years, serving in Northern Ireland and Kosova, but likened Iraq to the time he spent in Bosnia after hostilities had ceased there. We helped to put the country back together and put the people back on their feet and this is very similar," he said.

"It is three months since I saw my wife and children and I miss them, but after 12 years with my wife we are used to it.

"One of the first things on the agenda when I get back is to go for a Bradford curry."

Aaron, 24, who is single, has just celebrated his birthday but said it had been just another day.

"There is not much to do out here when you're not working," he said. "Sometimes we're busy and the time goes fast and other times it slackens off, and you need the slack periods.

"You can start at 5.30am and finish in the afternoon but you can still then be on stand by.

"The thing I miss most about home is fish and chips. When I get back I'll tuck in to some of those and have a few drinks."