SOLDIERS in full desert uniform were out in Andover town centre to help raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund before deploying to Iraq.

Based at Perham Down with 5 Field Squadron 22 Engineers, the soldiers stationed themselves near the Guildhall for the collection. They also had tins at The Naafi in Tidworth.

They were preparing to leave behind friends and family for a seven-month tour of duty in Basra, to oversee the restoration of services such as water, electricity and oil.

Capt Charles Battey, who led the charity collection, said their main aim was to improve life in Basra as quickly as possible.

"Once the central services are back in and they have a good quality of life - that's the first step in getting back to normality," he said.

The regiment will act as 'mentors' in supporting the Iraqi people as they become more independent in building up the central services and their own lives. "Our role is stabilisation as opposed to security, really," he added.

Capt Battey will be leaving behind a wife and a seven-month-old baby, and he said the hardest part would be missing his son grow.

Lance Cpl Paul Booth, who was also collecting money, has had six years experience in the Army and is looking forward to his role in Iraq. "I'm confident in my own skills and the skills of the rest of the people around me, and that we all know our jobs."

The soldiers are planning to do more charity work out in Basra, having raised £500 when on a previous tour in Bosnia.