LANCE Corporal John Mitchell was celebrating the birth of his second son on Saturday night - but it is likely to be at least the end of the week before he gets to see him.

Serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards in the Basra region of Iraq, L Cpl Mitchell was thousands of miles away when his wife, Louise, was giving birth.

Although the fighting may be over and his regiment has been told it could be on the way home by the middle of next month, L Cpl Mitchell may be given leave to fly back ahead of them.

Until then, the couple will not decide on a name for their second son - a brother for two-year-old Harry.

"I'm calling him Jake for now, but not definite - it's all a bit too soon," said 25-year-old Mrs Mitchell, who left hospital to join other mothers at a family party at the Catterick Garrison branch of McDonald's, to celebrate the news of the regiment's return.

"My friend, Lisa Matthews, and her husband, Paul, were with me for the birth," she said.

"I wouldn't have wanted to be on my own and having them there made a big difference.

"However, all I can do now is wait for John to come home. The Army couldn't manage it in time for the birth, but I'm just hoping it won't be much more than a few days before he's back."

Yesterday, Harry was still getting used to the idea of having a little brother, while tucking into chicken nuggets and chips with 24 other children from the regiment's families.

"He's found his dad being away a bit confusing and he's had a few tantrums, but he still walks around the house singing 'I love my daddy', so I think he'll be thrilled when John gets home," said Mrs Mitchell.