Three soldiers from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR) face court martial under war crimes charges in connection with the death of a detainee held in Basra, Iraq, in September 2003.

Corporal Donald Payne, 34, Lance Corporal Wayne Crowcroft, 21, and Private Darren Fallon, 22, all attached to the historic regiment, whose headquarters are at Fulwood Barracks, Watling Street Road, Preston, have been charged with the inhuman treatment of persons under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

The charges relate to incidents between September 13 and 15, 2003, when detainees, including hotel receptionist Baha Musa, 26, were arrested as part of the army's Operation Salerno.

They are the first British servicemen to face criminal charges under international war crimes legislation.

Payne, now attached to the 1st battalion of the King's Regiment, based at Catterick, also faces charges of manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.

Colonel Jorge Mendonca, 41, the unit's commnading officer at the time, has been charged with negligently performing a duty. Sergeant Kelvin Stacey, 28, is charged with causing actual bodily harm and Warrant Officer Mark Davies, 36, of the Intelligence Corps, based in Preston, is charged with neglecting to perform a duty.

Brigadier Geoffrey Sheldon, colonel of the QLR, said: "From the moment that Mr Baha Musa lost his life while in our custody, the regiment has made clear that this was an isolated, tragic incident which should never have happened and which I and every member of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment bitterly regrets.

"It was Colonel Jorge Mendonca who, as soon as he learned of Mr Musa's death, initiated the formal enquiry which has now resulted in these charges being brought. It is therefore particularly difficult for us to learn that Col Mendonca must himself now answer charges as a result."

The charges were announced by the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, in the House of Lords, on Tuesday, where he said the Army Prosecuting Authority were "satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of convicting all defendants and that the prosecutions are in the public interest".

They will stand trial at a British court martial but is not yet know where it will take place.

John Reid, secretary of state for defence, said: "If there are allegations that UK armed forces personnel have failed to maintain high standards they should be properly investigated and, if appropriate, prosecutions should be brought.

"It is vital that justice is allowed to take its course."