A soldier serving with the Black Watch in the Iraqi "triangle of death" hopes to be home for Christmas.

Private David O'Shea, from Southwick, is nearing the end of his 30-day posting to Camp Dogwood, south of Baghdad.

In an email to The Argus he said serving under perilous conditions had left him exhausted but he was looking forward to the comforts of home.

He said: "It has been a long tour. We're all tired but we can look forward to a nice lump of leave.

"I've had a good laugh with the Jocks but I'm looking forward to returning to my own regiment."

David, 22, a Challenger tank driver, is a member of the Queen's Royal Hussars, normally stationed in Germany.

He volunteered for duty in Iraq and found himself posted to Baghdad with the Black Watch.

The 850-strong force hassuffered repeated rocket attacks since replacing US Marines at Camp Dogwood on October 29.

Four soldiers and an Iraqi translator have been killed.

Black Watch troops will be replaced by Iraqi or US forces when their deployment ends.

David said parcels from his mother, Frances, and grandmother Mavis Knel had helped him and other members of his platoon get through the ordeal.

He said: "I often share things among the lads to boost morale.

"I know this is tough on my family but this is what soldiers do."

David plans to marry fiance Gemma Jenkins next year.