THE parents of a soldier wounded in Iraq are caring for him at their home in Powick after his release from hospital.

Lance Sergeant Robert Giles' wounds are mending fast, although medical staff visit him every day.

His father Colin said his son had been sleeping a lot since he was released from Birming-ham's Heartlands Hospital on Tuesday.

L/Sgt Giles, 32, who was serving with the Irish Guards, was shot in Basra during a gunfight with bank robbers on Thurs-day, April 10.

A round from a high powered rifle shot him through the chest, passing through a flak jacket and out of his back.

His life was saved by an army medical officer who performed emergency surgery on him while still under fire.

Mr Giles said he and his wife Edna were very pleased to have their son home.

"It's a lot better for us, we'd rather be nursing him than waiting for news," he said.

"The wound in the front of the chest is almost healed over. The one at the back, about the size of an egg, will take a bit longer."

Doctors have said Robert will probably be well enough rejoin his regiment in about six weeks' time.

"He goes through different phases at the moment, he's more concerned about what the lads are going through who are still in Iraq and that doesn't help him a lot," Mr Giles said.

"Other than that he's pretty chirpy. I'm sure that once he gets back with his regiment, life will be back to normal."