CASUALTIES were evacuated from a battle zone and survivors freed from an horrific car accident in Preston last week.

But it wasn't the worst tragedy to hit the town in recent years - it was the chance for the army to train at Fulwood Barracks, ready for deployment to Bosnia.

Soldiers from all over the North West, including Chorley, took part in a series of simulated scenarios before they travel to the war-ravaged country in March with their unit 5 Field Ambulance.

Among them were doctors, nurses, combat medics and ambulance drivers from Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and Bolton.

Lance Corporal Steve Pammen, from Chorley, has been in the army for three years and it will be his second tour to Bosnia.

The 23-year-old combat medical technician said he was really looking forward to going again but said things would be different.

He said: "It will feel unusual because the weather will be so different. Last time it was winter and the temperature got as low as minus 44 some days."

And Lance Corporal Pammen said although the war had stopped there were still one or two risks to be aware of: "The locals realise the army are worth a lot of money.

"There have been cases where they have tried to cause accidents so they can claim money off us. I've seen a car drive straight at us in the past."

However things will be made a little easier for Steve as his girlfriend is also in the unit although she'll be in a different location.

He said: "I will only get to see her once or twice a month but I suppose it's better than what most of my colleagues have to put up with."

Nearly 200 soldiers will fly out to Bosnia on March 15.

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