Wiltshire troops are performing one of the most delicate balancing acts in the Balkans acting as peace-keepers between two communities determined to settle old scores.

Soldiers who normally train on Salisbury Plain are patrolling the streets of Kosovo knowing they must not show partiality to either side.

The Wiltshire-based 2nd Bttn The Light Infantry are winning the hearts and minds of the local population, both the majority ethnic Albanians and the Serbs.

Soldiers from all over the world have been sent to Kosovo to enforce the United Nations resolution that ended last year's war.

The 500-strong battalion from Wiltshire are boosting the 3,100 other British troops in Kosovo to make sure the elections this week go ahead as peacefully as possible.

Already in Pristina for a month, the battalion known as 2LI are as much diplomats as they are soldiers.

While political turmoil stays unresolved, the troops from Wiltshire go about their business of winning the trust and confidence of the civilian population.

They have taken gifts of toys and clothing to the children's ward at Pristina's Muslim hospital, delighting youngsters who spend days and nights in pitifully unhygienic surroundings.

The hospital is suffering desperately from a lack of resources such as medicines, antibiotics, equipment, bandages, skilled personnel and relies almost exclusively on the charity of humanitarian organisations.

The Rev Neil Allison, 2LI's padre, organised the mercy mission with bags of goodies donated by families in Wiltshire.

He said: "We know we're only scratching the surface, but these people have next to nothing and it's marvellous to see the children's expressions when they open up the bags."

But the doctors say their priorities are medical supplies. Dr Shemer Hymiler and Dr Ailnore Batalle said the outside world did not appreciate the urgency of the situation.

Dr Hymiler said: "We need all the help we can get.Looking at these children it is heartbreaking to see their suffering."

Warminster-trained Army clerk Lynda Murphy was in tears as she left the hospital.

She said: "I asked this lady what her son was in the hospital for. She told me he was in there to die. It is so tragic looking at these poor children. The sheets were dirty and they have little medical supplies to help them."

l Operation Christmas Child: Page 34.