GWENT Army officer Lieutenant Helena Bevan told yesterday how she led more than 60 British men into the thick of a Gulf War tank battle.

Helena, 26, from Abergavenny, pictured, manned a machine gun on an armoured vehicle as she guided eight huge AS90 guns to the front line.

She was caught in the middle of fierce exchanges between American and Iraqi tanks close to the southern city of Basra.

But she kept her cool and ushered her 26 Regiment Royal Artillery troops to cover.

Now her team are bombarding Iraqi positions to pave the way for the final British push at Basra.

Helena opted for a career in the army after graduating in languages at Leeds University.

She is one of four women officers directing the big guns of the British army on the Basra front.

She said: "Some people find it hard to understand why a woman would want to do a job like this but I wouldn't change it for anything.

"It's exciting, honourable and better than being stuck behind a desk from nine to five.

"We've had some close calls, particularly when we went forward and got caught up in a pocket of resistance near Basra.

"I had to get us clear of one exchange in which an Iraqi armoured vehicle was knocked out by a US Abrams tank right in front of our position.

"Since then we've been supporting attacks on Iraqi defences and have fired hundreds of high explosive rounds."

Lieut Bevan's father, solicitor Paul Bevan, 64, suggested she embark on a career in the Army.

But she admitted her mother, Diane, a 56-year-old teacher, is worried for her.

"My mum has been very worried about me and was very upset last time we talked the day before the war started," she said.

Helena's boyfriend, Simon Holden, is a 27-year-old lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. His unit was not sent to the Gulf.

"What gives me the biggest lift is that everyone back home - my parents, Simon and my sister and two brothers - tell me all the time how proud they are of what I'm doing.

"That means a lot to me and keeps me going when things get tough."