LANCASHIRE soldiers are being deployed to Iraq.

The 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment will be heading to the country in November.

The 9 Light Brigade, which the battalion is part of, will be deployed to work closely with the Iraqi security forces and Iraqi government.

Members of the battalion, based at Catterick Garrison, have completed a two-week pre-deployment training exercise on Salisbury Plain.

The brigade's role in Iraq will depend on the political and security progress made over the forthcoming months.

It is preparing for counter insurgency and peacekeeping operations, as well as reconstruction and security tasks, such as training the Iraqi security forces and building key pieces of infrastructure.

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment was formed following the merger of The King's Regiment, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment and The Queens Lancashire Regiment on July 1 .