Bicester girl Karen Noonan is set to return home after serving her country on the front line in Iraq.

And no one will be happier to see her than her mother - who is ready to welcome her.

The former student of Hertford College, Oxford, has been fighting rebel forces in Basra for more than six months.

On Bank Holiday Monday she returned to her base at Hohne, near Hanover in Germany - where she must spend a few days before jetting back to Oxfordshire to see her family.

Captain Noonan, of 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, spoke to the Oxford Mail from Iraq via satellite phone last Thursday.

The 28-year-old said her tour had been both exciting and fascinating - but she was looking forward to coming home.

She said: "We have been responsible for firing back at the militants who target the base near Basra with rockets and mortars from up to 15km away.

"My job is to pinpoint exactly where the enemy is. We use everything from radars to unmanned air vehicles, and the naked eye.

"We have received about 300 rockets in the base in the last six months. But it's fantastic to be able to fire back and take the fight to the enemy.

"It lifts morale to hear artillery going out.

"It's what I joined up to do - I'm right up there, embedded with the infantry or cavalry to find and destroy enemy targets with artillery, mortars and aircraft."

Capt Noonan, who once came under direct enemy fire while on patrol, said the climate in Iraq was unpredictable and changed from day to day.

She explained: "Our role totally changes as to the atmosphere in the city, what operations are going on and the current political situation.

""We are living here and have to react to situations as they happen."

Capt Noonan could be back in Bicester as early as next week.

She said: "At the moment I am most looking forward to a sun lounger and a pina colada. But it's been a long time away and I am looking forward to seeing friends and family."

Capt Noonan's mother Heather, from Byron Way, Bicester, said: "We feel immensely proud Karen is serving her country - but very anxious she will return safely.

"I can't wait to see her and give her a hug. I'm very excited about her coming back."