A SOLDIER from the North-East who is only weeks away from finishing his tour in Iraq has narrowly avoided injury in a roadside explosion.

Lance Bombadier Daniel Horseman was yards from the blast, which left a fellow soldier badly hurt and needing emergency surgery.

L Bdr Horseman, 23, who is serving with the Highland Gunners, has been in the Gulf for the past four months and is due to return home to County Durham in the next few weeks.

He was on mobile patrol in an area called Gzeiza on Saturday morning when the bomb exploded, injuring a soldier in a vehicle that was leading the convoy.

L Bdr Horseman's father, Ronnie, said his son was due to be in the vehicle that was hit before plans were changed.

Mr Horseman, 41, from Peterlee, said: "He was a bit shaken but his friend got a piece of shrapnel through his neck.

"They go out on patrol in two Land Rovers but they decided to take an extra one. If they had not, Daniel would have been in the front one that was hit.

"I don't think he will get much closer and he couldn't get luckier than that."

Lorry driver Mr Horseman, a father-of-two, added: "I know he is 23, but at the end of the day I just feel like saying he is my son and I want him home.

"I tell him all the time to watch what he is doing, but when a bomb goes off at the side of the road it is getting a bit close."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "It was a mobile patrol and there was an explosion that left a soldier with serious injuries. There were no other injuries and the circumstances are being investigated."