PRIVATE Rhian Humphreys lets her colleagues take the strain as they prepare to leave for Sierra Leone later this month.

The soldiers are some of the 33 medical staff from 34 Field Hospital, based at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall, who have packed their equipment ready for deployment to Freetown.

After two days of special training in York they will depart to set up a ten-bed hospital to provide routine treatment for British soldiers stationed in the area.

The hospital will provide short-term cover following the departure of a United Nations hospital unit and the arrival of its replacement. British soldiers will make use of the United Nations hospital once the changeover is complete.

Pictured front row from left to right are Sergeant John Watson, Private Linda Mansergh, Corporal Kevin Godfrey, Lieutenant Jo D'Arcy and Corporal David Hornsby with Private Rhian Humphreys on the stretcher. Back row: Major John Langley, Corporal Elizabeth Holder and Captain Geoff Hall.