A SOLDIER from the North-East who was seriously injured on his last tour of Afghanistan has returned to the front line to help tackle the threat posed to troops by explosive devices.

Rifleman Mark “Turtle”

Turner, 21, of Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, suffered serious back injuries when his Pinzgauer vehicle crashed in February 2007.

However, following a long rehabilitation, Rfn Turner has returned to the war zone with the Third Battalion, The Rifles.

He is based in Kajaki, the most northern point of the British Forces deployment in Helmand Province. Serving with C Company, 3 Rifles, he has been trained to search for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) for his platoon when patrolling.

An Army spokesman said: “In only three weeks, he has already found two IEDs, preventing the devices from doing harm to his fellow riflemen.

“Although this task is a great responsibility for a young rifleman, Turtle has taken to it quickly and now claims to enjoy the extra work and is fiercely competitive, currently leading the league table of IED finds.”

Rfn Turner said: “I found it hard during the first week, but I’m getting more and more used to the ground out here and I’m feeling more confident now I’ve found my first couple of IEDs.

“It’s hard work out on patrols, but we’ve a decent base to come back to and the food’s lovely so I don’t mind the graft too much.

“We’ve been really busy, but the time is starting to fly by as I’m getting into it.”

Rfn Turner, a former pupil of Thomas Hepburn Community School, is looking forward to being reunited with his family and his fiancee, Liesha, during leave in the new year.

Whenever he has free time between patrols he watches his beloved Newcastle United, whose progress in the Championship he is following.