A Sussex woman has spoken of her fear of friendly fire and the safety of her brother in Iraq.

Samantha Robins, 23, said she was proud of her brother Air Trooper David Hole, who is serving with the Army Air Corps.

David, 20, is keeping up a long family tradition of serving in the armed forces.

However, Samantha, from Haywards Heath, said she was concerned he could be sent near the front line.

She said: "I am very worried about him and especially about him getting caught up in so-called friendly fire.

"I know he is not allowed to say exactly where he is but the last we heard he was in Kuwait near the Iraqi border."

Samantha and her sister Hayley recently received a letter from David, who is a signalman with 633 Squadron.

The family have also been sending regular "e-blueys" to David.

This involves sending an email, which is typed out by Army personnel at the other end and given to soldiers in a letter.

She said: "He telephoned on Thursday and seemed okay.

"He seems to be enjoying it and is keeping busy. He said he had a suntan and was living in a tent in the desert.

"We have been sending him biscuits, cakes and crisps so if he doesn't like the food out there he will have enough to eat."

David, who has been in the Gulf since February, joined the Army at 17.

He was previously a student at Oathall Community College in Haywards Heath.

Samantha said it had been her brother's dream to join the Army and he always enjoyed "action man" activities such as camping in the garden when younger.

David's father Dennis said he had been sending his son torches, minidiscs and copies of his favourite magazines, including FHM and Loaded.

He said: "We are very proud of David. He is keeping up a family tradition of being in the forces.

"At least he is keeping busy and serving his country and will hopefully come back with a sun- tan and a medal at the end of it."

Mr Hole, who works on an oil rig in Denmark, said he had traced the family's ancestors back hundreds of years and believed they had first come over to England with the Normans.

He said: "There has probably been a Hole in every war since."

Samantha said David being away was very hard on their mother, who lives in Australia.

She said: "My grandparents also worry and my nan sits up at night watching the news on TV.

"But I know my brother and he always comes up smelling of roses. He is the favourite in the family but I don't mind because I'm so proud of him.

"I love him more than life itself. I hope he's brave but not too brave and comes home safely."