BOLTON soldier Private Zita Heyes is making history by being among the first British troops to train in Poland since the end of the Cold War.

Zita, aged 24, is an army medic with the 2nd Armoured Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps, providing medical support to the soldiers of the 7th Armoured Brigade - the "Desert Rats".

More than 3,500 British troops are in Poland exercising with tanks, armoured personnel carriers, artillery and reconnaissance vehicles.

Former Mount Saint Joseph's School pupil Zita started her military career with the Territorial Army before joining the regulars in 1994.

She said: "It's been a great opportunity coming to Poland. The people we've met have been so friendly."

All-action Zita, whose parents Gerrard and Margaret live in Astley Bridge, is a physical training instructor for the unit. She also competes in triathlons and was best female novice in the Army Nordic Skiing Championships last year.

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