THE Evening Advertiser wants to hear from families of Swindon servicemen and women stationed in Iraq ahead of a special mission to the Middle East.

Next month, Adver journalist Giles Sheldrick and photographer Matthew Swingler will travel to Basra in Southern Iraq to report on the progress being made by troops there in rebuilding the war torn city

And we want families of soldiers to get in touch with us so we can pass on messages of support and keep loved ones back home informed of their progress.

Troops are today working round-the-clock to fix power lines and secure the flow of oil and water after the fall of the Ba'ath Party regime led by Saddam Hussein.

Swindon soldiers have played a leading role in Iraq even before the conflict started in March last year.

Around 100 men and women from A Squadron of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry were sent to Iraq as front line soldiers specialising in nuclear, biological and chemical decontamination.

The soldiers' deployment to the Middle East was the first time the Church Place-based regiment the Territorial Army equivalent of the cavalry has been deployed for military action since World War Two.

The unit was the largest single collection of TA soldiers to be compulsorily mobilised.

Their mobilisation, at the beginning of March last year, was a clear indication that war was imminent even though their training on Salisbury Plain was a far cry from the searing heat of the desert.

If you want us to get in touch with loved ones call 01793 528144 extension 249 or write to us at Iraq Mission, Evening Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE.

Giles Sheldrick