DOZENS of North Staffordshire troops are heading to Afghanistan to take on the Taliban.

The 120 soldiers are part of a 250-strong Queen's Royal Lancers (QRL) battalion set to be deployed in April.

The deployment still has to be approved by Parliament, but The Sentinel understands a QRL command team has been in Afghanistan to study the terrain.

The NorthYorkshire-based regiment is regarded as North Staffordshire's cavalry regiment and recruits heavily in the area.

The troops are likely to scout the land in Afghanistan, gather intelligence on enemy movements and protect infantry columns.

Captain Chris Findlay said: "One of our main jobs will probably be reconnaissance. We have the skills and equipment to fill that role."

Lance Corporal Martin Hilson, of Trent Vale, is in training for the deployment.

The 21-year-old tank gunner said: "I'm a bit nervous, but when we get out there our training will kick in.

"We are going there to make it a better place."

Trooper Ashley Porter, aged 20, pictured left, of Weston Coyney, said: "We have been doing basic infantry training and deterrent work for improvised explosive devices, but we don't know what we will be doing yet."

In a previous tour of Iraq, in 2003, the QRL suffered two fatalities when Corporal Stephen Allbutt, aged 35, of Sneyd Green, and 19-year-old Trooper David Clarke, of Stafford, were killed in a friendly-fire incident.

Sergeant Major Danny Stewart, aged 37, of Meir, has served with the QRL in both Gulf wars.

The married father-of-one, who is not going to Afghanistan after being promoted, said: "These boys have done a lot of training and will do the business."

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