FOUR young soldiers from the Huddersfield area have told of their experiences helping to rebuild war-torn Iraq.

All are serving with the 1st Bn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, and are hard at work under the scorching sun at Az Zubayr, just south of Basra.

Lance Cpl Simon Hallas and Privates Adam Hodkinson, Richard Higgins and Mark Mullings are now involved in security checks.

They patrol the area and carry out weapons checks on civilians. They also monitor checkpoints on local roads.

But it was a different story in the previous months.

Pte Hodkinson, whose father, Anthony, lives in Huddersfield, has been in the Army since 1996.

He said: "When we arrived in Kuwait from our base in Germany the camp was hit by a missile. We had a chemical threat and had to suit up in our nuclear biological and chemical kit.

"Once in Iraq, the battalion was charged with helping to look after prisoners of war.

"When we first got to Um Qasr we guarded the prisoners and they were very demanding. We had to mount constant patrols and arrange to feed everyone. It was an experience," he added.

Lance Cpl Hallas, 22, a former pupil at Batley Boys' High School, had seen service in Kosovo, but the war in Iraq was an entirely different challenge.

The soldier, who is engaged to Helen, said: "I remember the first missile going off.

"It is hard to explain how you feel. The training kicks in and you get under cover!"

Pte Mullings, 25, joined the Dukes last year. His mother, Beverley, lives in Huddersfield.

He admits to fear when the war started. "When the first missile came over, I was pretty frightened.

"I got masked up straightaway and took cover," said Pte Mullings.

"Now, Iraq needs to be rebuilt. From what we have seen, it could be very rich - but it needs proper management."

Pte Hggins, 22, is a former student at Colne Valley High School, whose parents, Robert and Olga, live in Huddersfield.

He joined the Army in 2000 and has served in Kosovo.

He said: "I really didn't think we were going to have anything to do with the conflict, because we were not in the main battle group, but it was a last-minute decision.

"We were on the move and the first time a missile hit us it really brought it all home," added Pte Higgins.