RESERVISTS from throughout the North-East are preparing for a possible conflict in Iraq.

The commanding officer of the Newcastle Royal Marine Reserves Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Parsons said 18 of his personnel had been mobilised.

He said: "This represents 20 per cent of our training strength with members coming from the full spectrum of British society.

"Their role will be to support the regulars in the form of 3 Command Brigade Royal Marines, which has requirement to be brought up to full military strength. For all intents and purposes, the men will be fully integrated and trained to the same standards."

Corporal Steve Ritson, 26, an art teacher in Gateshead, said: "I joined up for a bit of a challenge and the outdoor life. I am pleased and proud that I have been called up to work with regulars and am excited by the prospect. This is the real thing - what we have been trained for. But there is also apprehension, because we do not know how long we are going to be away."

Meanwhile, Corporal Ian Mackie, 46, of Bedale, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, said his RAF Leeming unit had not yet been mobilised, but there was every likelihood their services would be among the first to be called on.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Pinney, of the Queen's Own Yeomanry, who commands 400 reserves providing backup to for regular reconnaissance regiments, said four logistic experts had already been mobilised.

He discounted arguments that any of their equipment may be sub-standard. He said: "The equipment that has been issued has never been so good."