TWO Darlington soldiers have been spending Christmas serving in Northern Ireland.
Private Nicky Cooper, 18, a former pupil of Hummersknott Comprehensive School in the town, is spending the festive season on his first operational tour of Northern Ireland.
He is with the 1st Battalion, The Green Howards, serving in the province in support of the police service.
The soldiers are based at Shackleton Barracks, in Ballykelly, providing military assistance to the police.
Guardsman Eric Bassindale joined the Coldstream Guards three years ago after serving as a reserve in his native Australian Army.
With other members of the 1st Battalion,the Coldstream Guards, Eric, 23, is in Northern Ireland for two years and was not at home for Christmas.
His wife, Lindsay, is waiting in Darlington.
The soldiers, based at Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry, have been helping to maintain law and order in the city.
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