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He said: "It meant getting up, putting on chemical suits, gas masks and all the equipment, and getting to the air-raid shelters as soon as possible. It struck home then: you realised it wasn't an exercise.

"But you get really good training, so I don't think there was a time when anybody panicked or got really scared."

Martin Dillon, from the Manchester Evening News, also felt a bit strange when he arrived back home but said: "It feels good to wear clean clothes, take a shower and be able to enjoy fresh food and cold drinks."

In a web chat at Manchesteronline.co.uk he added: "There were a few occasions when I was scared. Driving across the border in the dark trying to follow the convoy lights of the vehicle in front was scary.

"At times we couldn't see the other vehicle because the sand was being blown everywhere. I was worried we may end up getting lost and driving into an Iraqi position.

"It was also scary when I was told to get into my trench because we were taking incoming artillery fire.

"I think I was able to remain objective in terms of what I was actually reporting.

"However, my view of the war changed in the sense I was no longer concerned about the rights and wrongs of war.

"I just wanted to survive and come home as soon as possible."

As well as reporting for their own papers, the six reporters and two photographers supplied copy for all 18 members of the Corps, which was also available for other local papers.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk