HUNDREDS of soldiers have returned from Iraq to find their barracks out of bounds.

Troops based at Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, have been transferred to Wathgill Gamp, about five miles away, near Leyburn.

Senior staff at the UK's biggest Army base took the decision on advice from a fire safety officer.

Commanding officers were advised that the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems were in need of repair.

About 200 troops have now moved barracks.

The soldiers serve with 3 Close Support Medical Regiment and 209 Signal Squadron, which are part of 19 Light Brigade.

The brigade returned to Catterick from southern Iraq in May and June.

An Army spokeswoman denied rumours that some of the troops were having to live in tents.

She said: "They are staying in normal accommodation, much the same as that at Gaza.

"The move is to allow work on the fire alarm system and emergency lighting. The decision was taken by the commanding officer following advice from the fire officer.

"The work is under way and is expected to be completed by the end of October.

"While we recognise this is not ideal, the soldiers have been given the best possible accommodation and have taken their belongings with them.

"They also have access to get the remainder of their belongings, if they need them."

Only single soldiers housed in multi-occupancy rooms are affected by the move, not military families, the spokeswoman said.

Gaza Barracks is one of several sites at Catterick being redeveloped as part of a £1bn investment programme in which new accommodation is being built for many of the base's 10,000 troops.

The Army says the barracks being repaired are likely to be replaced in the redevelopment.

A report published by the National Audit Office in March concluded that soldiers face decades of sub-standard living quarters despite improvements in Ministry of Defence housing stock.

More than 40 per cent of homes for service personnel and their families are still below par, with no final date for their upgrade in view, according to the Whitehall auditor.

* Are you a serving soldier based at Gaza who has been affected by the move? Call Joe Willis on 01748-850407 with your story.