Soldiers from Bedfordshire are helping to change Iraq, according to their commanding officer.

The 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment - known as The Poachers - are almost halfway through their operational tour of the war zone and Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Browne, has been amazed at the progress that has been made.

He said: "The Iraqi Security Forces are now taking the lead in maintaining security and confronting all those who perpetrate violence.

"And stood right behind pretty much every Iraqi Army unit in Basra is a Poacher. Offering advice, giving them support, helping them and giving them access to things that their armed forces don't have yet such as bomb disposal teams."

The Poachers live alongside the Iraqis, supporting them and training them on the ground.

British-led projects in southern Iraq have already helped deliver enough electricity to supply 800,000 people, and water supply for more than one million.

And last week, a new pumping station opened, bringing water to around 2,000 homes in the Hyyaniyah area of Basra - a sign of the improved security situation in and around the city.

General Mohammed, responsible for all Iraqi security forces in Basra, said: "The arrival of the British is the best thing that has happened to this HQ."