Up to 100 Bradford soldiers, including two brothers, are heading for a tour of duty in war-torn Afghanistan.

Members of the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, will spend six months working with the Afghan National Army, preparing them to eventually take over security operations in their own country.

They will spend Christmas and New Year in the harsh Afghan territory where temperatures regularly dip far below zero.

The Bradford contingent are part of a 500-strong group who have spent the last few weeks carrying out intensive training for the tour at their barracks in Munster, Germany.

Some of the group will be based in Helmand Province which has previously been the scene of fierce fighting between the military and the Taliban, which had a stronghold in the region.

More than 300 British military have died in Afghanistan since the war started in 2001, including three from Bradford.

Lance Corporal Marc O’Connor, 24, of Buttershaw, Corporal Carl Ryan, 25, of Wibsey, and Lance Corporal Dayne Clark, 23, of Keighley, are three of the 1 Yorks soldiers being deployed.

Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood, acknowledged that the tour would be a very worrying time for families, but it also demonstrated the strength of the links between the Bradford district and local regiments.

“Our thoughts are with the families and the young men and women,” he said.

“We hope that they remain well and uninjured. I have only the utmost respect for their courage and professionalism.”

L/Cpl O’Connor, a former Buttershaw School pupil, joined the Army in 2004. He has previously served in Iraq and Kosovo.

He will be second in command in an infantry team and will work alongside his 21-year-old brother Simon, who is a Private in the same regiment.

He said: “The training we have had is really good and I have learnt a lot, but have to admit I am a bit apprehensive.

“I have never been there before but am looking forward to settling in and starting my job. It will also be nice working with my brother and we will support each other.”

The battalion will be split up with some working with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Support Company to the Queens Royal Hussars.

The rest of the contigent will work with the Danish Army and the Brigade Headquarters with staff provided to the headquarters at Helmand Province.

Cpl Ryan, a former St Bedes School student, joined the Army in 2002. He is now an infantry team commander and has served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq and plans to marry his 23-year-old girlfriend when he returns.

He will be based at one of the military checkpoints during the tour.

L/Cpl Clarke, whose wife Jade is expecting their first child, said: “You hear from other soldiers about what it is like, but I want to see it for myself. We will all support each other during the tour and look out for each other.

“I will be going out on regular foot patrols of the surrounding areas, and it is great that the three of us come from Bradford.”