A SOUTH Lakeland policeman awarded a medal for services in war-torn Kosovo is to return to the region for a second tour of duty.

Steve Taylor, who lives in Kendal, was honoured for his role with the United Nations Interim Mission in training policemen in the former Yugoslavia republic.

Officers from 56 countries make-up the UN Interim Mission, with 30 officers coming from the UK.

Their objective is to build a police force that is trusted by all sides.

"Our aim is to get the various factions working together," Mr Taylor told the Gazette.

"Now it's a democratic country it's important that they can police themselves in a democratic manner."

Mr Taylor returned home for a two-week break after seven months in Pristina, and will soon go to Metrovicha for a further five months.

"Although there are deep-rooted differences between the various groups, we have had a certain amount of success.

"In our training lessons, Albanians sit alongside Serbians, both sides learning together."

However, there are darker moments.

As Mr Taylor was boarding his plane to come to England he received news of an explosion in his area that had killed 11 people and wounded 20.

By the time his plane landed a retaliatory explosion had claimed the lives of a further 23 people.