VOLUNTEER soldiers who survived being shot at, petrol-bombed and stoned in Iraq, have angrily dismissed the recent photographs showing British soldiers torturing prisoners as "fakes".

Pte Thomas Corns, aged 19, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, Pte Leigh Bowls, aged 19, of Stourport-on-Severn, Pte Steve Timmins, also 19, and Pte Ken Laga, 21, both of Kidderminster, were yesterday reunited with their families at the Territorial Army base in Birmingham Road, Kidderminster after serving with the West Midlands Regiment of the TA.

After spending six difficult months peace-keeping in Iraq they dismissed controversial photographs of British soldiers allegedly torturing an Iraqi prisoner.

Pte Corns said: "I think the photos are all lies. What seems to have been forgotten is the way Iraqis have kidnapped, tortured or killed British civilians, Westerners and soldiers."

Pte Corns said he had several "terrifying" moments when he thought he was going to die.

"I was in Basra and a rocket-propelled grenade whizzed past my head, missing me by centimetres," he said.

"I have burn marks on my helmet where it skimmed my head, I seriously thought my number was up."

His platoon was also petrol-bombed, stoned and shot at by angry Iraqi civilians, he added.

For Pte Corns, the reunion with his mum was particularly emotional after she was diagnosed with bone cancer while he was away.

All the soldiers were given two weeks' leave to return to the UK during their service, and Pte Corns' mum, Irene, who was diagnosed in January, put off breaking the news to him until his leave in February.

"It was heartbreaking, but I didn't want to tell him on the phone as I didn't want to upset him," said the 44-year-old, who was in hospital for much of his leave."

The news comes as 22 county male and female TA soldiers from 214 Worcestershire Battery Royal Artillery are due to serve in Iraq in a week's time.