CORPORAL Amanda Miah is on maternity manoeuvres in Gwent - as her husband serves in the Gulf.

Corporal Darren Miah, 27, is serving with 13 Air Assault, and left his eight-week-old daughter Ellie-Mai a fortnight ago to drive fuel tankers and deal with supplies for the British Army.

Back home in Argoed, supply controller Amanda, 31, confessed that motherhood has altered her view of life in the services.

She said: "We were told we'd be nothing to do with it, but coming to the end of last year we knew he'd be going.

"He was a bit fed-up with it because of the baby and everything but he understood. It's his job, so he's got to. But he didn't want to leave us behind. "The baby's our first and she's changed everything.

"I don't think he's in a lot of danger and he said they were staying right back but, with it being a fuel vehicle, I'm a bit scared. Every time I hear that a British soldier has been killed it's frightening.

"Now I've had the baby and I'm married I don't like him being away. Half of me wants to be over there with him and half of me wants to be here."

The couple met while they were posted in Cyprus four years ago. Darren's sister-in-law Nadine Miah - married to his twin brother Andrew - contacted the Argus to send a message to Darren.

She said: "He's been there about eight weeks and we've only had two letters. I wanted to say we love him lots, miss him and hope he'll be back soon."