Parents fear for three soldiers

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The parents of three brothers from Kent who are serving together in Afghanistan have said they are proud of their sons and worried for them in equal measure.

Matthew, Daniel and Andrew Holkham, of Sheppey, are with the 3rd Battalion, the Rifles, in Helmand Province.

Their parents, Rodney and Tracy Holkham, said their sons were not sent out on patrol together so they could not be involved in the same incident.

The Rifles have lost 33 soldiers in Afghanistan, more than any regiment.

Matthew recently had a lucky escape after putting his rucksack on an improvised explosive device which blew up. The force of the blast was absorbed by the rucksack and he escaped unharmed.

Mr Holkham said: "It's very dangerous out there. They're not out there playing - it's a hard job - and having all three of them out there together is very difficult."

He added: "There's parents all over this country with children out there. It must be devastating when something happens."

The brothers are due back home in April.