DETAILS emerged yesterday about acts of courage by servicemen and women from the region during the war in Iraq.

A total of 350 soldiers, sailors and airmen have been decorated for their part in the conflict, which began in March when Allied troops crossed the border from Kuwait.

Of those, 17 are with units based in the North-East or North Yorkshire or live in the area.

Sergeant Stephen Hornsby, now serving with the 1st Battalion The Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison, was mentioned in dispatches for a single-handed attack on an enemy observation post which was helping Iraqi troops keep his unit pinned down.

He crept up on the position and only opened fire when he was perilously close, even though he knew he would immediately become a target himself.

He withdrew calmly and professionally only when he was sure he had destroyed the post - and only after asking for permission to retreat.

Staff Sergeant David Hurst, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, based at Catterick Garrison, was also mentioned in dispatches for leading a counter-attack against Iraqi militia who opened fire on his unit as they refuelled and rearmed after a 20-hour battle for a key bridge in Basra.

Staff Sgt Hurst returned fire before supervising a defensive cordon and then leading a successful patrol which was able to defeat and capture the enemy.

Captain Alan Durrant of 5 Regiment, Royal Artillery, based at Marne Barracks at Catterick, received the MBE for the professional manner in which he helped move 800 men to Iraq and then prepare them for the extremes of battle in the desert.

Once the fighting began, the regiments AS90 guns were firing constantly for 17 days and Capt Durrant was singled out for the way he ensured all the men's equipment needs were met.

Northallerton's Captain Nikki Watson, of Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, has also been made an Associate of the Royal Red Cross after volunteering to cross the border into Iraq to check the quality of intensive care equipment available.

It meant working under the threat of attack and sometimes next to unexploded shells and missiles, while sleeping under vehicles at night.

She also took over the role of nursing officer in charge when a colleague fell ill, remaining calm and professional at all times, no matter what the difficulty.

On Thursday, a statement from the Ministry of Defence gave details of the bravery of 19-year-old Christopher Finney of the Blues and Royals, who was awarded the George Cross for repeatedly trying to save colleagues from burning vehicles after they had come under friendly fire from US A10 tankbuster aircraft which mistook them for the enemy.