After months serving in the Iraq conflict an Orford RAF engineer is enjoying his time at home and planning an exotic holiday with his fiance.

Chris Smith, aged 26, of Dudley Street, has spent the past few months battling with the heat and the elements to fix the RAF's Chinook helicopters.

The former Padgate High School pupil set sale on HMS Ark Royal in January and spent time in Gibraltar before going to Kuwait.

He then moved on to Basra International Airport to support the Royal Marines in the war.

Chris, who got home on June 8, said: "It's fantastic to be home and I'm glad to be back here with the missus. My family were really worried about me and are very happy to have me back.

"There was a surprise party for me and they put a banner up outside the house. It was really nice."

Chris, a senior aircraftsman, has been in the RAF for seven years and still loves his job but he is in no rush to get back to work.

"I am enjoying my time off at the moment. It's been a hard time so it's nice to just chill out," he said.

Chris has now got five weeks to relax and is planning to take his fiance, Claire Holden, for a break in Mexico. The couple are getting married next October.