A REGIMENT at Catterick Garrison has reported a baby boom after its men returned from serving in Iraq.

Following their homecoming from Operation Telic 4, the men of armoured cavalry regiment the Queen's Royal Lancers may have thought they left sleepless nights behind in Iraq, but their quarters have been echoing to the cries of new-born babies.

Since the war, 15 have been born to partners of men in the regiment.

Capt Chris Knight, the unit's welfare officer, said: "This is a terrific result for our families who are now looking forward to settling down to married life in Catterick, after a period of postings abroad.

"It's particularly heartening to see a number of families adding to their broods, as well as those starting out together with their first baby."

And the new parents will be able to make the most of the Government's new Child Trust Fund saving scheme, with military specialist Naafi Financial, since all were born after the 2002 threshold.

Naafi is the only military specialist on the Government's approved list of financial organisations equipped to handle Child Trust Fund payments, and can offer access to the trust fund accounts at home and abroad.