A SOLDIER from the tropical island of Fiji is experiencing a different climate as he serves with one of the region's regiments.

Private Harold Sword, from Suva, is based with the 1st Battalion The Green Howards in Northern Ireland.

He has just completed a period of duty supporting the Second Royal Irish Regiment in the divided communities of east Belfast.

A member of A Company, and based at Ballykelly, near Londonderry, Pte Sword patrolled the area on foot and in vehicles in support of the police.

The aim of the patrols was to discourage and prevent sectarian attacks, backed up by other Green Howards at Musgrave Park Hospital Security Base.

The last time the Green Howards were there was during a six-month tour of duty in 1999, and a mural of the regimental colours, painted just inside the base's main entrance, has been restored recently.