MORE than 600 soldiers from the Tidworth based 1st battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment are to spend the summer in Kosovo.

"We take over in Pristina on 10 May where we will be involved in peacekeeping and providing a safe environment for the UN workers to work in," said Capt Bob Wallis.

They will return to their base at Bhurtpore Barracks in November.

Before they left Tidworth the soldiers handed over a cheque for more than £4,500 to the Army Benevolent Fund following a money-raising half marathon run and a boxing tournament.

As well as raising money for the fund commanding officer, Lt Col James Cameron, wanted to get his soldiers fit enough to face the stamina sapping heat.