SOLDIERS David Arnold and Jonathan Cross are preparing to swap the comforts of the UK for the rigours of Afghanistan.

Private Arnold, from Leyburn, and Private Cross, from Billingham, are members of the Green Howards.

They are on duty guarding the new home of the regiment's 1st Battalion at Chepstow in Wales - but are also training for the role of the regiment in Afghanistan.

Pte Arnold, 19, is a member of Support Company and has served in Northern Ireland and trained in Canada.

Pte Cross, 23, is also a member of Support Company. He drives a Saxon armoured vehicle, and has served in Northern Ireland and Germany.

They have been training for the sixth-month deployment to Afghanistan, with range practice at Lydd and Hythe Camp in Kent, and full-scale exercises on Salisbury Plain.

The battalion, which will be in Afghanistan from next month, has recently completed a two-year tour of duty in Northern Ireland and moved from Ballykelly, near Londonderry, to Chepstow last month.

In Afghanistan, the Green Howards will be working with UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force, helping the Afghan Transitional Authority maintain security in Kabul and the surrounding areas. Support Company will help to train the Afghan National Army.