TERRITORIAL Army soldiers from Cwmbran have built recreational and welfare facilities for soldiers in Cyprus who have just returned from Afghanistan .

A team of 30 reservists from the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers worked on a range of construction projects within the Sovereign Base Area in Cyprus, to provide better facilities for soldiers who transfer through the island on their journey home from Afghanistan.

They will also be used by families of soldiers based in Cyprus while their loved ones are deployed on operations.

The job, known as Exercise Lion Star, is one of a series of TA overseas exercises in different countries that give TA soldiers the opportunity to further their skills and work as a group outside the UK.

Sapper Matthew Young, who works at Pontypool Museum, said: “It is rewarding doing these projects, especially when you build something that you can see from start to finish and that is going to be used for soldiers and their families to get enjoyment from.”

The operation gave ex-soldier Lance Corporal Padam Budhathoki, 51, the opportunity to step back into military life. He served with the Queens Gurkha Engineers for 15 years before moving to Llanyravon to work for Contour.

He said: “I was sad to leave the Queens Gurkha Engineers, so it’s nice to wear green again – I feel proud to be wearing the uniform, but I also joined the TA as I thought I had a lot of experience I could share with the younger lads.”

The facilities were finished on Saturday ahead of the TA engineers’ return home on Sunday.