RELATIVES of Bolton soldiers serving in Iraq woke to the news this morning that their loved-ones were at war.

Reassuring words from sons serving in the Gulf have done little to ease the fears of their mothers.

Typical among them is Yvonne Jones, mother of 21-year-old Lance Bombadier Gareth Jones of the Third Regiment Royal Horse Artillery stationed on the Iraqi border.

She said: "When I last spoke to him he was in good spirits. He thinks the job has to be done so he's going to do it but that's what he's like.

"I'm worried sick. When he went to Germany to train for this it crossed my mind that it could be the last time I see him. He's done six months peacekeeping in Bosnia before but that was nothing like this.

"The whole situation seems a bit unreal."

Susan McCrirrick is another Bolton mother whose attention is firmly fixed on the Middle East.

Her son Lance Corporal Steven Nightingale, aged 24, is a vehicle mechanic with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) regiment.

"I have mixed feelings about what's going on out there," she said. "It's been 12 years since the Gulf War and Saddam Hussein still isn't toeing the line so they should go, but at the same time my son's there so I'm worried for his life and his friends.

"We've got the news on all the time at the moment." Margaret Martinez, whose son Jamie, aged 31, is also with the REME regiment could have been forgiven for feeling deja vu as the first reports flooded in. Former Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil Staff Sergeant Martinez fought in the last Gulf Conflict 12 years ago.

Mrs Martinez, of Blackrod, said: "I keep having a little bit of fear but Jamie has told me not to worry. I think I was more worried before the Gulf War because he was only a young boy then.

"I was glued to the television every day then but I don't think I'll watch it as much this time, although I'll still follow the news obviously."

The mother of a 21-year-old soldier from Little Lever, who does not wish to be named because she has highlighted the issue of poor food and facilities at his training camp in Kuwait, was also feeling anxious today.

She said: "I've virtually got 24 hour news on. I'm watching every bulletin I can.

"I am worried. I suppose most parents are the same. They just want their loved-ones home safe.

"From speaking to my son I get the impression all the troops were keen to get on with the job. At the end of the day it's what they joined up for but I still think the conditions out there have been pretty grim."

Mark Banks from Kearsley, who served in the 1991 Gulf War, is one of many Bolton veterans who will also be watching closely as events unfold in the Middle East.

Mr Banks, whose health has deteriorated since the conflict and is fighting to prove he is a victim of Gulf War Syndrome, said his thoughts are with the troops in the Iraqi front line.

He said: "I was only 19 at the time and a lot of the lads out there now will be the same age. They'll be feeling the same as I was. You want to get on with the task in hand but you wouldn't be human if deep down you weren't scared."

Do you know anyone who is serving with the forces in the Gulf? Contact the Bolton Evening News newsdesk on 01204 537270.