A FEMALE soldier from Bury has been injured in a roadside explosion in Iraq.

Sharon Taylor, aged 24, was on her second tour of duty in Basra with the Royal Horse Artillery when she was injured in a bomb blast on Tuesday.

She suffered shrapnel injuries to her face and a burst ear drum but her family will have to wait until later today to discover the extent of her injuries.

Her mother, Angela Taylor, said: "My stomach just churned over when I got the call. I've always feared the worse and this has brought it home how dangerous the job is.

"I got a call from her on Tuesday. She's in hospital and shes obviously very shaken up. Were waiting to find out how badly damaged her hearing is and whether shell need specialist treatment for her facial injuries."