THE parents of a 19-year-old Malvern man sent to Iraq last week say they will delay Christmas until he comes home.

Thomas Corns, who was in the Malvern Army Cadets for three and a half years, is now in B (WFR) company of the West Midlands regiment of the Territorial Army. He left for Iraq on Wednesday, November 5.

His parents, Irene and Thomas, of Elgar Avenue, said they would miss their son, especially over Christmas.

Thomas has three brothers and a sister and festive celebrations for the entire family will be delayed until he returns in six months' time.

News that Thomas (pictured right) was going to Iraq came as a surprise.

"He had only just passed his infantryman's course in Scotland when he was called up," said his father.

"He's been in the TA for nearly nine months and he loves it," said Mrs Corns.

Members of some TA units were called up to do specific jobs when the war in Iraq began. Thomas is one of 50 members of his regiment sent to relieve some of these soldiers in guarding British field hospitals and providing protection for ambulance and medical staff.

He is the only TA soldier from Malvern in Iraq, although eight members of his Kidderminster-based company are also there.

Lieut Col Mark Claydon, the regiment's commanding officer, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the TA to demonstrate what they are really capable of. I have no doubt they will rise to the challenge."