AS one set of soldiers made the long journey home from the Gulf this week, another was preparing to jet out to the troubled region.

Members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), based at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, returned home to a hero's welcome with a procession through the city yesterday (Thursday).

Now Territorial Army soldiers from the 5 General Support Medical Regiment, based in Chorley, are preparing to set off to Iraq, the second time this year, as part of a contingent of 160 from around Lancashire supplying medical troops for primary health care and trauma and to help air and road evacuations in the British Zone of the country around Basra.

It is a place familiar to the QLR who, for the past four-and-a-half months, have been responsible for peacekeeping duties in the greater part of Basra, working day and night to restore peace and security.

The mission was a particularly difficult and dangerous one, often performed in a hostile environment, in sweltering heat. But yesterday, at 11am, about 50 members of 1st Battalion proudly marched through Preston in their desert uniforms.

Weeton-based King's Division Normandy Band accompanied the battalion as Preston Mayor, Councillor Neil Cartwright, and Colonel of the regiment, Brigadier Geoffrey Sheldon, made a salute in front of the Harris Museum.

Following a parade inspection by Coun Cartwright invited civic dignitaries and guests attended an official reception at the Guild Hall. Commanding officer of 1st Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Mendonca, said: "The heroic efforts of the officers and soldiers of this brilliant battalion, achieved in unimaginable heat, have made me very proud to be a Queen's Lancashire."