'Robbie's okay... if anyone sees him in Stoke, say hello for me!'

THOMAS COOPER spoke to Captain Matej Takalic, the man responsible for the Croatian Armed Forces who trained alongside city soldiers in Exercise Sava Star

- THOMAS COOPER

BRITISH troops from around the Potteries have been out in Croatia taking part in Exercise Sava Star - an annual training drill which sees soldiers from both countries learn together.

Captain Matej Takalic was in charge of the Croatian Armed Forces during the week-long combat retreat.

The 57-year-old said: "We're doing all kinds of training with the British military.

"We're mainly fighting in woodland environments, but we're doing some urban drills too.

"Today we're trench breaching and sweeping buildings, but we've been doing forest ambushes and operations like that too.