WITHIN hours of arriving in Northern Ireland Worcester Carnival Queen Kirsty Evans was being briefed on the current situation in the Province by chiefs at Army forces headquarters in Lisburn.

Then it was off to Dungannon for the 21-year-old - with the Evening News at her shoulder - where B Company were staying and helping the Royal Ulster Constabulary to maintain public order.

Kirsty was invited to talk to some of the Worcestershire soldiers who were based at the camp for a few days.

L/Cpl Ben Cox, of Kempsey, was the first soldier to talk to us about his life in Northern Ireland.

The 25-year-old has been in the Army for four-and-a-half years and enjoys his job, especially since he was promoted.

"I do really enjoy it," said the former Hanley Castle High School pupil.

"Obviously I miss home, but that comes with the job.

"At the moment we're in Dungannon to support the police really. Last night we were on alert in the town because a hoax threat was received.

"We then have to check vehicles and cordon off areas. We have to make sure that everyone is safe, including ourselves.

"At the moment I've got things on my mind though, because my wife Michelle is going to have our first baby next week. We live in married quarters - so that's one good thing.

"She enjoys Army life and has settled in well. It can be difficult when you're married to a soldier, but she's OK here. I'm really looking forward to the baby being born."

Pte John Lewis said he was enjoying the patrols in Dungannon, but was hoping to leave the Army soon and join the emergency services.

"I've been in the Army for three-and-a-half years and it's been great but I really want to get into the fire service and I hope to be based at Droitwich," said the 22-year-old, from Stourport-on-Severn.

"I've done various different tests with them and I've just got a few more stages to go. I think the Army can prepare you for many jobs and the fire service is one of them. I've learnt loads in the Army but I've always wanted to be a fireman."

Pte Jamie Lancaster, 21, from Warndon, Worcester, explained he loved his job in the Army but found it difficult sometimes because his fiance, Amanda Williams, and son, Joseph - who was born four days after the Evening News met Pte Lancaster in February, were not with him in Ireland.

"It's great going home to see them, but it's always really tough to say goodbye," he added. "I try not to think about it too much but my girlfriend gets really upset."

Pte Barry Stone served in Bosnia before the tour of Northern Ireland.

The 22-year-old, from Kidderminster, is now enjoying working as a physical training instructor in the regiment's gym at the Omagh base.

"I'm really lucky because I get to come on exercises like this and I also get to help the guys out in the gym. I do programmes for them and help with their fitness.

"I really enjoy it because it means my job is varied."