ROYAL Marines from Taunton’s 40 Commando are preparing for their imminent deployment to Afghanistan in their own Afghan village.

Hundreds of marines from Norton Manor Camp in Norton Fitzwarren will form part of the next instalment of UK forces in Afghanistan in April.

As part of their training, the marines are learning Pashto, spoken widely in the Helmand region, and training in their own Afghan village.

The village was built to help show new marines what to expect while in Afghanistan and help them practice in a realistic environment.

For more pictures pick up this week’s County Gazette, out on Thursday!