Seven soldiers from Keighley's Territorial Army unit have set off to join peace-keeping troops in Iraq.

The men, along with up to 40 other soldiers from Yorkshire, are from the Duke of Wellington's East and West Riding Regiment, which is supporting the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery in the southern port of Basra.

Platoon commander Lt Jason Hunt, 30, said they would be helping to patrol the town and border check points, peace-keeping and assisting with the reconstruction of the country.

He said: "Obviously, the war has stopped but there are still obvious dangers that will come with the territory."

Lt Hunt added: "To be quite frank, I think it is a great opportunity for myself and the Keighley boys who are going with me. The TA does some great work across the world -- I have served in Bosnia before and most of the others have been abroad.

"I think the team are the finest set of guys. The Keighley boys are some of the most professional and fittest soldiers I have seen. They are a great set of lads and I would not want to go out with anyone else," he added.

Two of the seven were embarking on their first operations

Pte Matthew Hastings, whose two elder brothers are also in the TA, said: "I cannot wait to get out there. This is my first time on a full operation -- I have been away before but that was nothing major.

"I have two brothers in the TA. They are not going and they are jealous of me because I think just about everyone here wants to go out there and help."

The 20-year-old, from Thwaites Brow, has just finished his second year at Huddersfield University, and has taken a year out to go on the operation.

Pte Mark Short, 23, from Oakworth, said: "I am very happy about going. It is a new experience for me to go into a war zone but this is what I joined the TA for.

"My family are very happy that I am going because this is what I have wanted to do for the last six years."

Father-of-two Lance-Corporal Kevin Cook, 29, from Guard House, said: "I am a little apprehensive about going because I will miss home and I will certainly miss my two children and my family life. But I have been away before and I am used to it."

L-Cpl Paul Bradwell, 25, from Haworth, who has served on peace-keeping missions in Bosnia and Cyprus, said: "My family are on holiday at the moment so I don't really know what they think. I told them and they have always expected it because I have been away on operations before."

L-Cpl Phil Lythe, who also served in Cyprus, said everything had happened quicker than he expected.

The 23-year-old, from Wilsden, said: "We found out about two weeks ago and it was plenty of time to prepare, but that was because we thought we were going in July. My dad is very pleased because I am doing something positive and worthwhile."

Peace-keepers -- from foot of stairs upwards -- Pte Steve Reynolds, L-Cpl Phil Lythe, Pte Matthew Hastings, L-Cpl Kevin Cook, Pte Mark Short