A TIDWORTH-BASED soldier has won a top accolade for his bravery in the line of duty.

Battery survey sergeant Terry Bryan (32), who serves with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, has received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, in honours announced by the ministry of defence.

Sgt Bryan was acting as troop commander of two vehicles in Basra last August, when he went on patrol to help soldiers cut off from their own camp and under attack.

He said: "We left the camp and the streets were quiet, and that in itself was suspicious.

"I was just thinking about the job in hand when we found the road blocked off.

"It was an ambush." He received incoming fire from small arms, machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades while driving down a main road.

After finally moving into a side street to take cover, the enemy was waiting for Sgt Bryan and his men, and the patrol's two vehicles became useless after coming under constant attack.

Bryan and the patrol decided to proceed on foot and, with their radios out of action, had to use a mobile phone to call for back-up.

"We had to keep moving because the militia were constantly behind us and firing at us.

"I scouted ahead and could see them flanking us, so I took over a house and established fire positions, putting the family in the cellar," he said.

The troops stayed inside the house and stopped the enemy from coming in until the Warrior armoured vehicle from the Princess of Wales regiment fought to get them out.

Eight men owe their lives to Sgt Bryan after he successfully ran in full view of enemy fire to signal to the vehicle to come and rescue them.

An MoD spokesman said: "The quite exceptional leadership, professionalism and bravery of Sgt Bryan stood out that day.

"He demonstrated outstanding skill and personal qualities and held his men together as they fought for their lives."