HAMPSHIRE mum Sharon Gorman couldn't believe it when her Royal Marine son called home for the first time from Iraq to tell her: "I'm staying at Saddam's palace".

Marine Joe Gorman has been out of contact at the forefront of British action in the war zone, taking part in the assault on the Al Faw peninsula and distributing aid in Umm Qasr.

But now the 20-year-old, who is a member of the famous 42 Commando, is putting his feet up in Saddam's sumptuous palace in Basra.

He's been sleeping on marble floors with his gun at his side, as he and other members of Juliet Company stop looters stealing the toppled tyrant's luxury fittings.

To the sound of background gunfire Joe told his mum he'd even been photographed sitting on the Iraqi leader's garish golden lavatory.

"He says the palace is out of this world - but it's like being in a different world compared to the poverty outside," said mum Sharon yesterday, following the 10-minute phone call to her Bitterne home.

"They're resting there for a few days. He said they've had quite a few looters trying to get in.

"When the phone went I didn't expect it to be him. Then he said 'Is that you mum?'.

"I think he was so excited just to be able to make contact. He's looking forward to coming home.

"He's in very good spirits, There's really high morale out there. I haven't slept because we hadn't heard from him. Now I can sleep."

Keen boxer Joe finished what is recognised as the hardest military training in the world to become a Royal Marine last year.

The former St George's School pupil was awarded the Diamond Certificate as one of only four soldiers in the 25-strong troop on the course to be made section commanders.

He flew to Kuwait from RAF Brize Norton in January and was then helicoptered into Iraq the day the war started.

Throughout his two months away, Joe's friends and loved-ones have been sending him countless letters and parcels containing his favourite foods - such as crisps and instant soups - and even a flannel for him to wash with.

A Union flag flutters on the balcony of his grandparents' Bitterne home, next to a large yellow ribbon which shows their support for British troops in the Gulf.

Each time 42 Commando is mentioned in TV reports the Gorman family alert each other by phone, then try to spot the ardent Manchester United fan on the screen.

"When he was in Umm Qasr two weeks ago we think we saw him handing out water and aid," said Sharon.

"I immediately wrote to him to say I thought I'd seen him on TV. He joined the Marines because he wanted to be the best and his dad and I are behind him 100 per cent."

Each night grandmother Janet Hillier kisses his photograph and says a prayer for his swift return.

"I'm so proud of him. He's hard as nails and has really been in the thick of it. I love him to bits," she said.

His family, including his two brothers and sister,plan to throw a party for Joe on his return.

Speaking from Southern Iraq Royal Marine spokesman Lt Col Ben Curry said: "The Marines have pulled off some amazing results. It's worked very well. We kicked off with a pretty audacious assault on the Al Faw peninsula.

"It's a true vindication of the training and everything the guys go through."