IT is nearly four months since President Bush declared that major hostilities in Iraq were over, following the demise of Saddam Hussein's regime.

But the dangers continue for the British servicemen striving to help rebuild the war-torn country, with seven losing their lives since the President's declaration.

Yesterday, it was revealed that the latest victim, Catterick-based Captain David "Dai" Jones, had volunteered to return to the Gulf to support humanitarian efforts to enable the Iraqi people to find stability.

Despite being well aware of the dangers, he simply wanted to help: not only to serve his own country but also a foreign land.

His widow Izzy and his colleagues from the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment yesterday described Captain Jones' courage, sense of humour, caring nature and professionalism. An admirable soldier and a wonderful husband who died doing his job.

The rising death toll, of course, comes amidst Lord Hutton's inquiry into the death of Dr David Kelly and whether the Government "sexed up" the case for war.

As the inquiry continues to highlight the increasingly unseemly squabble between the Government and the BBC - two institutions hell-bent on protecting their reputations above all else - we should not forget that honourable men are continuing to lose their lives.