MILITARY officers from the other side of the old Iron Curtain have been discovering more about one of England's oldest regiments.

Nearly 50 officers from the old Eastern Bloc are taking part in a Partnership for Peace course at York St John College.

The Military English parts allows officers from 15 countries, including Russia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Latvia, Moldova and Uzbekistan to learn and improve their English.

A visit to the Green Howards Regimental Museum, in Richmond, allowed them to practise their language skills, as well as compare their own military history with that of the famous Yorkshire infantry regiment, whose history stretches back to 1688.

Among the exhibits they saw two Russian drums captured at the Battle of the Alma, in the Crimea, in 1854. In the Medal Room they were also shown the Russian Order of St Vladimir (4th Class), which was presented to Major GCP Worthington in 1919.

Course director Squadron Leader Rosie Allen MBE said: "The officers come to York for 12 weeks, stay with local families and practise their new-found language on this intensive course."

Museum curator Major Roger Chapman said: "It was a new experience for our guides, but they were impress-ed by the students' English and enthusiasm to learn about a typical county regiment."