A COMPANY of Territorial Army infantry soldiers from the North-East has been mobilised for operations in Iraq.

More than 150 soldiers from Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire have received call-out letters and will soon begin training for Operation Telic 2 - the peace support operation in the Gulf.

Although the soldiers have volunteered as individuals to work alongside the regular Army on military operations for many years, this is the first time a company from the Tyne Tees Regiment has been mobilised.

The regiment's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ian McFarlane, said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for the Tyne Tees Regiment to play a significant role in this peace support operation and to put the many skills it has into practice.

"I am delighted that my soldiers will go on Operation Telic 2 together, commanded by our own people. This means that they know each other well and the teams of soldiers can play to their strengths."

The Tyne Tees Regiment will leave for the Reserve Training and Mobilisation Centre in Chilwell, near Nottingham, later this month.

There, the soldiers will undergo documentation, medical and dental checks and be issued with clothing and equipment.

Based in Gilesgate, Durham, the Tyne Tees Regiment also has companies in Scarborough, Middlesbrough, Bishop Auckland, Newcastle and Ashington.