US and British soldiers hold a signed Union Jack ahead of the deployment of the First Battalion of the Black Watch to an area near BaghdadTHE families of Black Watch soldiers have spoken of their fears as their loved ones step in to replace US troops in a dangerous part of Iraq.

Many of the wives and children based at the Imber Road barracks in Warminster were shocked the troops were in the Middle Eastern nation at all as no battalion from Warminster has ever been deployed.

Rebecca McCulloch, whose husband Corporal Donald McCulloch is in Iraq, lives in Warminster with their children Callum, five, and Ross, two.

"My husband was due home next Friday and it was just a shock to be told that he would not be coming home.

"It happened to a regiment that wasn't supposed to be there and at the same time there has been a lot of talk about the amalgamation of the regiment, it does all seem a bit unfair."

Mrs McCulloch said she was confident the soldiers would do a good job despite heading to a more dangerous part of the country.

"It is dangerous there but it is dangerous everywhere in Iraq. It's not a very nice place at the moment.

"There is a big difference in the way the British and American troops work. The Americans are more aggressive and walk around with their helmets on. My husband will just wear his beret which makes him much more approachable."

While Mrs McCulloch was proud of her husband she was furious at the way politicians had used the soldiers as political pawns.

"I saw a politician on the television saying 'the Government will be judged when the body bags come home'. My five-year-old son could have seen that, it's absolutely disgraceful."

She also said the uncertainty of the past week had been very hard to deal with.

"I feel like I'm waiting but I'm not sure what for, I'm just hopeful that he will be home for Christmas.

"My son Callum keeps asking for his dad and I just have to tell him that he will be home for Christmas.

"Callum's birthday is on Christmas Eve so I just have to reassure him that his dad will be home by then."

Jennifer Watson, 26, whose husband Lance Corporal Andrew Watson is also in Iraq, said she has confidence in the troops but is still worried.

"I just want him home as soon as possible," she said.

"All the wives stick together, because everybody is in the same position and we try to help each other out.

"We are all obviously very disappointed that they are not coming home."

Mrs Watson who lives with her two children, Anja, three, and seven-month-old Lewis said it has been very difficult for the kids.

"It's hard and she cries out for him. She gets upset and asks where her daddy is but he talks to her every day.

"Tony Blair has promised that they will be home by Christmas. He has said it twice now and I think if he goes back on his word he will be cutting off his nose.

"I could rant and rave about it but that wouldn't make a difference, it wouldn't bring my husband home."