Soldiers from Croydon Territorial Army barracks face an anxious wait while the Ministry of Defence makes plans for a further call-up of military personnel to Iraq.

Reservists from C Squadron Royal Yeomanry, based at the Mitcham Road barracks in Croydon, could find themselves on the front-line if further support is needed in the Middle East.

The Royal Yeomanry is a reserve armoured and nuclear, biological and chemical regiment, which trains on Challenger Two tanks.

This is the first time territorial army personnel have been mobilised since the Second World War, and many soldiers from Croydon barracks could find themselves in the thick of the fighting.

Sergeant Chris Chadwick, aged 36 from Croydon, is currently on the volunteers list giving a very real possibility that he could soon be fighting in the Gulf.

Sgt Chadwick said: "Of course I'm a little nervous at the prospect of fighting, but the training we receive is second to none. I feel I'm adequately prepared for any dangers we might face."

Families who have members in the Gulf receive specialist support from the army. Captain Davies, the welfare and families officer, works to ensure relatives and friends can show their support for personnel overseas by organising parcels from home.

Croydon C Squadron already had two men on the front lines. Kerrye Anscomb and Nick Illingworth are already in Iraq supporting the coalition troops.

Sgt Chadwick said: "We're naturally worried about them, but they are able to keep in touch with us here, so that's a great source of comfort."

Both men are in contact with their colleagues back home, and so far, despite having to adjust to the difficult weather conditions, things are going well.

The rest of the men at the barracks are also receiving specialist training, equal to that of the regular army, to equip them for a call-up.