MEMBERS of a cavalry regiment which recruits heavily from Worcestershire could find themselves spending Christmas in the Gulf.

No definite plans have been made for the Queen's Royal Hussars, but the belief is that they could be posted to Iraq for six months beginning in November.

"It would be as a patrol presence and to rebuild the infrastructure," said Lt Martin Ryan, an administration officer with the QRH.

"The decision has not been made yet," he added.

Soldiers have been training in battle readiness in the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Alberta, Canada.

Over the 33-day mission the soldiers and officers take part in both live fire exercises and simulations to create near-war conditions.

Although any role in Iraq looks set to be peace keeping, as the QRH did in Kosovo last year, the BATUS training makes the troops ready for war.

Because the QRH successfully completed the training programme this also means they will be the first to be called up if war breaks out.

"If there are any problems anywhere in the world they would be the first ones in," said Colonel Andrew Cuthburt, who commanded the QRH battle group in the 33-day exercise which began on Monday, May 5.

"They are now the most battle-ready regiment in the British Army."

The troops were wary about definitely saying they would be going to Iraq because the decision is far from finalised.

However, they have no qualms about being sent out there after carrying out a similar role in Kosovo last year.

"If we have to go into Iraq or somewhere like that then we will do it because it's our jobs and what we're trained for," said Dean James, a 24-year-old trooper, who comes from Evesham.

In the meantime, the majority of QRH was due to return from Canada to the regiment's home in Germany.