THERE were some happy reunions at the British Army's largest garrison yesterday when about 100 soldiers returned home from Iraq.

Gunner Zoe Wood of the Royal Artillery was among those reunited with her family, including daughter Sian, after six weeks in the desert.

In all, about 4,000 troops from Catterick Garrison are still deployed in the Middle East - and many of those who came home yesterday will be returning following leave.

Their duties include peace-keeping patrols around Basra, in southern Iraq, as well as helping the local population with the reconstruction of their country.

Units from the garrison serving in the desert since June include the 1st Battalion, The King's Regiment; the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment; the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers; the 5th Battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; 5 Regiment, Royal Artillery; 3 Close Support Medical Regiment; a company of Royal Military Police; elements of the Royal Logistical Corps' bomb disposal squad and 19 Mechanised Brigade headquarters.

Other North Yorkshire elements of the brigade include 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery, from Topcliffe and 38 Engineer Regiment, based in Ripon.