Soldiers return from Afghanistan

Family and friends greeted the returning 22 Signal Regiment

One hundred and ten soldiers have arrived home after a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The 22nd Signal Regiment, based at Beacon Barracks, Beaconside, Stafford, were in Helmand Province providing communications support to other units.

They were joined for the duration of the tour by 15 Territorial Army members from the 35th Signal Regiment, based in Coventry.

A further 140 troops from 22 Signal Regiment are due back on Thursday.

'Big achievement'

Lt Col Neil Fraser praised the young regiment for helping troops to clear Taleban fighters from 100 sq km in central Helmand Province.

They also assisted troops moving a hydro electric turbine 180km by road from the airfield in Kandahar to a dam in Kajaki.

Lt Col Fraser said both feats were a "big achievement" for the "young regiment" who only formed in 2007.

A homecoming parade has been organised for all the troops in Market Square on 28 February.