SOLDIER Dean Bird is coming of age in a former war zone today.

The former Kingsdown School pupil is helping to contain ethnic tensions in Kosovo as a private with the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.

But his family and fiance Nicky Jeans are planning a huge 21st birthday celebration when he returns from his peacekeeping duties.

Dean is one of 1,100 British troops sent to deal with renewed clashes between Serbs and Albanians. Today he will be on patrol or manning a checkpoint.

He told mum Collett, 39, on the phone that he was fine but still concerned trouble might flare up again.

Kosovo's worst spasm of violence in five years erupted when Albanian Muslims blamed Serbs after two young children drowned and began rampaging in revenge.

Serbian nationalists then set mosques on fire in retaliation.

Collett said: "Dean was a bit worried about the day of the funerals of the two young children but it all went peacefully.

"Otherwise he seemed fine.

"We are all so very proud of him and his achievements."

Nicky, 19, who is an aerobics instructor, had this message to Dean: "I love you lots. I can't wait to see you when you get back.

"I hope you and all the other lads keep safe and are not away too long."

The couple are due to get married at the Blunsdon House Hotel on August 27. Nicky is confident he will get leave for their wedding day.

His family did not have a chance to say goodbye but Nicky managed to get to South Cerney, near Cirencester, before the troops flew out.

"I was lucky enough to be able to see him before he left and my mum took a call from him," she said.

"We just have to wait until he calls us. I hope he will be able to on his birthday."

Dean finished training in Aberdeen last July.

He returned from further training in Kenya in January and two weeks later was given 24-hour notice about his deployment to Kosovo.

His dad Mark, 37, and his three younger siblings, Dale, 18, Danielle, 13, and Kelsey, nine, are also all eager to have him back at their Stratton home.

Bhavani Vadde