IRAQI prisoners of war are being treated by Ebbw Vale naval nurse Esther Dalli-more. Four badly-injured PoWs were airlifted to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus at the weekend, where they under- went life-saving surgery.

Esther, who is 26 and has been in the navy for just 15 months, is aboard the ship and is now involved in caring for the Iraqis.

She told the news to her mother Linda Harris, of Ebbw Vale, during one of her regular telephone calls home.

Mrs Harris said yesterday she had heard at least another 18 Iraqis had now been airlifted to the primary casualty reception facility ship in horrendous weather conditions - some of them civilians and one an eight-year-old boy whose parents had been killed in gun fighting.

They are also treating an injured US marine, but no British servicemen or women have yet been taken to the ship.

The RFA Argus has a team of surgeons, two operating theatres, a CT scanner and 100 beds with which to treat casualties.

Mrs Harris said that as well as nursing duties, Esther has also been on "mine watch" on the bridge.

And the RFA Argus is now under armed guard, as warships in the Gulf go on high alert for terrorist suicide strikes.

"Obviously I am very, very worried about Esther - I can't wait for her to come home and be back on British soil and safe," said Mrs Harris.

"But I have no idea how long she is going to be out there. "There are lots of other mothers and fathers waiting like I am - it must be even worse if your child is on the front line."

She added that, in her telephone call, Esther had said the nurses were running out of sweets and chocolate, so Mrs Harris is sending out more confectionery supplies to help keep up spirits and she has also sent them a toy monkey.

"I've also got a card for all the girls out there to say keep up the good work and we are all behind you."

Mrs Harris has learnt to use e-mail facilities at her local library so that she can keep in touch with her daughter in between their telephone conversations.

"Esther is coping well, when she rings she says straight away 'Mam, it's only me, I'm all right'.

"She says it's just her job and she'll get on with it. "But one of her friends, a nurse from Scotland, is losing her hair with the stress of it all."