A DROITWICH reservist marine is heading to Afghanistan to help rebuild the country.

Lance Corporal Matt Croucher is one of eight part-time Birmingham Royal Marine Reservists heading out to the frontline in support of the United Nation's rebuilding efforts.

L/Cpl Croucher, aged 23, will be deployed alongside regular troops from 40 Commando Royal Marines as they head out to Helmand province later this year.

L/Cpl Croucher, who works in security in his civilian life, joined the reservists 18 months ago and had served as a regular marine with 40 Commando for five years.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to deploying to Afghanistan. This is what we train so hard for and it's great to be able to put all that training into practice."

He will join more than 300 other UK reservists from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force on operations in the region, including troops from the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters.

About 650 troops from the Woofers have already been sent to Afghanistan during March and April following intensive training in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.

L/Cpl Croucher will form part of an international effort, backed by the UN, to support the Afghan Government.

This deployment is unique as it's the first time that Royal Marine Reservists will be fully integrated with their regular comrades in 40 Commando billets. The Birmingham Royal Marines will head off for this training on Monday to prepare them for the work ahead.

Captain Paul Burnham, the officer commanding the Birmingham detachment, said: "Afghanistan remains a very volatile and demanding operational environment which requires highly trained and motivated personnel to serve there, and the Royal Marine Reserve can supply just such individuals."

Some 80 reservists from the UK's five RMR units will spend six months training with 40 Commando before heading out on a six-month operational deployment.

Since early October 2006, the naval service has deployed about 2,500 personnel in Afghanistan, where they are operating as part of the NATO-led mission.

The UK operations in Helmand province aim to improve security which, in turn, helps the reconstruction work being done.

Royal Marine Reservists have to pass through the same rigorous course as full-time marines.