CHILDREN ran to greet their fathers as troops returned home to Bicester after six months in war-torn Iraq.

Family and friends waved banners and balloons as the 72 soldiers from 23 Pioneer Regiment arrived back.

The troops were greeted with tears of joy as they stepped into the officer's mess at St David's Barracks.

Darren Smitheringale, 25, was greeted by his wife Lynsey and ten-month-old son Thomas.

Mrs Smitheringale, 21, said: "Thomas has changed lots. He is started sitting, crawling, had teeth and started eating proper food. His first word was 'dad' even though daddy was not here. I'm scared and excited - it feels like it's a first date. I've got lots of butterflies in my stomach."

Mr Smitheringale added: "I'm delighted to be back, although it has been a long time. Thomas is absolutely gigantic now. He was tiny when I last saw him. He said 'dad' tonight once - I'm over the moon."

Charlotte Bowen, eight, from Surrey, was waiting to give her father Michael a welcome home card.

She said: "Me and my friends made it. It says: 'To dad, I am glad you are home, so are all my class. I have missed you so much, I love you, with best wishes Charlotte'. Then I got all my class to sign it."

Her mum Karen, 35, said: "We're really looking forward to seeing him and really glad to have him back. It's been a long time. It's been hard."

Bicester Community College pupil Aaron Whitehead, 11, and his sister Jamie, eight, were waiting with a home-made banner to greet their father Anthony. Aaron said: "We are really happy. We miss him playing with us."

Jamie, a pupil at Five Acres School in Ambrosden, added: "I've been doing lots of things for dad like cleaning the house."

Their mum Jennet, 30, said: "It has been hell. I'm crying my eyes out, I was a mess, but I was just so glad to see him. I can't wait to get home now and get back to normal - and cook him his tea."

Mr Whitehead said: "It feels good. We've been waiting a long time to get home."

Wendy Scholes, 42, from Sunderland, was waiting for her boyfriend Jason Dowse.

She said: "I'm very excited about seeing him again and just to have him home after all that time. I've got plans next week to give him a big homecoming party with his family."

Emmanuel Gilbert, 34, was greeted by his wife Sarah, daughter Kierra and baby son Liam - who was born halfway through his tour of duty.

Mr Gilbert was called back on compassionate leave when Sarah went into labour two months early but returned to Iraq four weeks later.

He said: "He's grown, he's heavy. I could hold him in one hand and now I have to use two hands."

Adam Berry, 19, was greeted with a passionate kiss from his girlfriend Kelly Simmonds, 18.

Mr Berry said: "It's amazing. We had everyone standing outside clapping. I saw Kelly at the door and I was just trying to get through."

The troops spent three months patrolling in the port city of Umm Qasr, followed by three months in Basra.

Commanding officer Lt Col Simon Wheelton said the troops from 522 Squadron had suffered no casualties.

He said: "It's fantastic to see them all come back safe and sound. They have done a really impressive job out there in really challenging conditions."

All the troops from 23 Pioneer Regiment, who have been deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan this year, are back home.