A FAMILY literally put the flags out to greet their serviceman son on his return home to County Durham from active duty in Iraq.

The proud Gelders adorned not only the family home, but approach roads in Langley Moor with bunting and Union flags to welcome back son Bernie.

He drove back with a fellow member of the Royal Logistics Corps, who was travelling on to his home in Northumberland, from their base in Germany.

Pte Gelder was a touch embarrassed, in front of his colleague, at seeing the greeting prepared by the family.

"You couldn't miss it. I was stunned, and I know my mate will have my life when we get back to base." He was given a warm greeting by parents, Kay and Bernie senior, brothers Gary and Karl, friends and relatives.

It was the first time he had seen his family since the New Year, when he returned to base in Germany in preparation for war.

His unit travelled out to a holding camp near Kuwait City in February ready for the outbreak of hostilities.

Pte Gelder entered Iraq on the opening day of the conflict, with 1 Close Support Medical Regiment, as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats. His closest shave came just after crossing the Kuwait/Iraqi border.

"There was an rpg (rocket propelled grenade) which went off near us, maybe 200m away, when we came over the border.

"When we got into Basra most of the people were fairly good with us. It was hard with the kids because they were begging for water but we weren't allowed to give them any or else they would have been pestering us all the time."

When the hostilities ended his unit stayed on for a few weeks, and on leaving recently conditions were becoming very hot, as temperatures were up to 50C.

He is now on a fortnight leave, but on his return to base expects to be posted back to Iraq later in the year, possibly for several months in the war's aftermath.