A SOLDIER celebrating an early return from the Gulf will soon be on his way back - after a move to a new base.

Colerne-based Army Staff Sergeant Paul Beattie had an agonising decision to make when he was offered an early return from the Gulf conflict to a new posting.

The good news was that his new unit was in Catterick, in North Yorkshire, closer to his family and that of his wife, Shona.

The bad news was that the unit's next tour of duty was to be back in the Gulf.

Staff Sgt Beattie, 38, said he left the decision to his wife during a phone call.

He said: "We both want a posting to Catterick. After this job, I will be leaving the Army, and want to be near my family in Durham and Shona's in Newcastle, so the offer was ideal.

"The downside will be being in the Gulf again until at least October, but after that, we will be where we want to be."

Mrs Beattie, 37, said it had been a difficult decision.

The couple's children, Alex, eight, and four-year-old Matthew, were thrilled to have their father home.

Staff Sgt Beattie said: "It is great to be home. Flight delays are causing a lot of heartache. There are hundreds of troops to bring home and everyone has a good reason for wanting to be back.

"It must be a difficult job for the person who has to prioritise the places."