PARENTS of an Army captain have expressed concerns for their son, who is on exercise in Oman.

Herbert and Jean Bowen, who run The Bay Horse Pub, at Woodhouses, near Bishop Auckland, say they are very proud of their son Christopher, who graduated from Sandhurst and is now serving as a Captain in the Royal Logistic Corps.

But they are worried that the 30-year-old will be among the first soldiers to see action should war break-out over recent atrocities in America.

Mrs Bowen said: "Now that this has all started it is getting very worrying to think of him out there. It looks as though he could be in the thick of things.

"It is worrying all round really for everybody who has someone out there."

Capt Bowen, who lives with his wife and daughter in Germany, is keeping in constant contact with his parents and sister Denise by e-mail.

He is among troops who are helping to put vital infrastructure in place in preparation for Britain's biggest overseas exercise in 15 years.

More than 1,000 servicemen and women are taking part in the preparations, which will see the arrival of 22,000 troops taking part in Exercise Saif Sareea II.

Spennymoor man Lance Corporal Barry Yard, of 28 Engineer Regiment Corps of Royal Engineers, is also among those preparing for the exercise.

The 24-year-old is one of those responsible for maintaining all the vehicles used by the engineers.

The former Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive School pupil said: "I came out here in early June, and it has been hot, dusty and sandy. We have had some problems with locks jamming up and breaking because of the sand, but we can do most of the repairs on-site. I'm missing my wife and kids the most.''