Territorial Army soldiers from Keighley will be looking to engage Czech mates as part of a major infantry exercise this month.

Soldiers from the Duke of Wellington's regiment, based in the Drill Hall on Lawkholme Lane, will join counterparts from Yorkshire and the North East as well as infantry from the Czech Republic for Exercise Migrant Merlin.

More than 1,000 soldiers, including 200 from the Czech Republic, are taking part in the exercise that started last Saturday and will conclude on September 23.

Companies are based in three locations throughout Scotland and the North East with the Duke of Wellington regiment stationed at Cultybraggan, near Perth for the duration of the manoeuvres.

During the exercise, soldiers will take part in section attacks, patrolling and be introduced to operations in mountainous terrain. They will also take part in amphibious operations on lakes and coastal waters.

Brigadier Andrew Farquhar, commander of 15 (North East) Brigade, says: "The exercise has been split into two parts. The first week will consist of unit level and support weapons training.

"The second week will be a brigade co-ordinated exercise involving all the infantry units in the brigade. It will be based on a Peace Support scenario such as our soldiers may encounter on operations in the Balkans.

"This is part of our close working relationship with other European armies. It builds on previous exercises that the British Army in the North East has had with the Czech army.

"We are very much looking forward to it. We expect to learn a lot from them and hope they also learn from us."

Following the government's recent strategic defence review, the Duke of Wellington's company is now part of the new East and West Regiment which covers the Yorkshire area and also includes the Light Infantry and the Prince of Wales' Regiment of Yorkshire.

The Tyne Tees Regiment from Durham, the 4th Battalion of The Parachute Regiment based in Pudsey and the 15 (North East) Brigade based in York are also taking part in the operation.