PUPILS at a Warminster school who are anxious about the war in Iraq can confide with a teacher whose husband is fighting on the frontline.

Lynn Bowtell's husband, Andrew, is serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards, carrying out reconnaissance missions in the desert.

He flew out at the end of February and his wife has not heard from him for more than three weeks. To help settle her, and 1,400 pupils' nerves at Kingdown School, she has offered to talk to any students who are concerned about the war. Mrs Bowtell, who teaches PE, said: "I offered because many of us are in a unique position."

"I know some of the children who have parents fighting out there; some of them are in my tutor group. I know how they are feeling and what they are going through.

"I am trying to keep myself busy and I'm just getting on with everyday life."

WO2 Bowtell is based in Catterick and has served in countries like Bosnia, so his wife is used to him being away from home, but she admits being on tenterhooks since the outbreak of war.

"No news is good news but I feel anxious every time the phone rings.

"I watch some of it on the television but I don't watch it all because there are things you don't want to hear and you only get part of the story."

Captain Nick Scott, chairman of the Parents Teachers Association, is also on hand to offer support.

Headteacher Sheelagh Brown said: "The war in Iraq makes this a very difficult time for a great number of people and especially so for a school in an army town such as Kingdown in Warminster.

"For over 300 of our pupils and several members of staff these are especially worrying times with parents, husbands, wives, partners and friends involved in active service in the Gulf.

"In these very difficult times these friends, pupils and colleagues need our support, whatever our feelings about the war.

"Now is the time for thought and we especially hope that all the people involved in the war are quickly and safely returned to their own communities and to the people who miss them and love them."