A NORTH-EAST soldier serving in Iraq has been found hanged in his barracks.

Private Mark Stephen Dobson, 41, who lived with his parents in Darlington, was discovered at Basra Air Station, southern Iraq, on Monday.

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation but said yesterday his death was not thought to have been the result of hostile action.

Pte Dobson, a Territorial Army soldier, had been on an operational tour of Iraq, deployed on force protection duties since November, and was due home next month.

He recently told a reporter, who was visiting his regiment in Iraq, that he was enjoying the experience.

"It really is good being out here," he said.

"I am missing my family and friends, but in all honesty I wouldn't have missed this experience in Basra. It is great being a part of it."

Pte Dobson had served since 1996 in the UK and Cyprus, and was mobilised for the Gulf last September as part of a 34-man infantry group from the Tyne Tees Regiment.

An Army spokesman said: "In any circumstances like these we will have an inquiry into the circumstances of his death."

He said Pte Dobson's body would be flown to RAF Brize Norton, after which an inquest would be opened by the Oxfordshire coroner.

The soldier's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ian McFarlane, said: "His death has come as a great shock to the many people that knew him and he will be sadly missed."

He described Pte Dobson as an enthusiastic and popular member of Middlesbrough-based B (Green Howards) Company.