EX-SOLDIER Dan Stone is shown looking out over the rolling countryside of South Somerset - a million miles away from the killing zone of Afghanistan.

Former Holyrood Academy student Dan has just returned home after seven years in the Armed Forces where he had risen to the rank of Lance Corporal with the Third Rifles.

After two deployments in Afghanistan and numerous other tours overseas, Dan is just glad to be back in the safe environment of Somerset.

"I decided that I'd had enough of the Army at the end of my second deployment to Afghanistan where I lost five really good mates," he told the News.

"They were tough times and I know I came close myself to being killed or badly injured on at least 30 occasions while out there.

"Every step you took while out on patrol in Afghanistan you wondered whether it was going to be your last."

Still only 23, he added: "Afghanistan was horrendous.

"You become so close with your mates out there because you are with them night and day - to lose five of them in the space of just a few months was devastating, but you just had to get on with your job.

"Now I've left the Army, I'm not going to miss the job necessarily, but I'm going to miss all of my mates."

He is now back at home living in Chard with his parents Eric and Margaret, looking for work.

"I want to become a freelance photographer, but in the meantime I'm looking to get some money behind me to help me set that up," he said.

"I've got a load of qualifications through the Army and am now just looking for work."