Soldiers’ tour of duty

ARMY pop sensations The Soldiers are set to entertain the troops in Afghanistan.

The trio of servicemen, which includes Failsworth’s Richie Maddocks are reported to be in talks with the Ministry of Defence for a morale-boosting New Year concert.

Their debut album “Coming Home” stormed into the charts at number four, selling 500,000 copies in six weeks.

Former South Chadderton School pupil Sgt Maddocks played with Failsworth Band. He joined the Army at 16 and served as a medic in the first Gulf War.